Current Issue :: May 16, 2008 :: Cover Sidebar:
Cost Comparison
Cost comparison of shelter, rent assistance and
supportive housing in Portland
Basic Shelter
Cost: $12.15 per person per day for 1,400 people
Services provided: Place to sleep indoors, mats on the floor, no services
Annual cost: $6,208,650
Annual results: Homelessness ends for 0 people
Rent Assistance
Cost: $13.75 per person per day for 1,000 people
Services provided: Housing placement, rent assistance, and housing
retention services (case management and other supports)
Annual cost: $5,018,250
Annual results: Homelessness ended for people 1,000 people
Permanent Supportive Housing
Cost: $40 per person per day for 400 people
Services provided: Permanent affordable housing with resident,
social and clinical services (such as mental health and
drug and alcohol treatment)
Annual costs: $5,712,000
Annual results: Chronic homelessness ended for 820 people
National research indicates that it saves $12,000 a year to house
someone in supportive housing rather than keep them homeless. Locally,
that number is $15,000. Costs of homelessness include frequent hospital
and jail stays, which are greatly reduced when people have permanent
housing and the clinical and other service supports they need to
maintain their health and thereby remain stable in housing.
