Homelessness can be surprisingly costly for taxpayers. Fortunately, socially-responsible, cost effective solutions exist. For many city officials, community leaders, and even direct service providers, it often seems that placing homeless people in shelters is the most inexpensive way to meet the basic needs of people experiencing homelessness; some may even believe that shelters are an ideal solution. Research, however, has shown something surprisingly different. The cost of homelessness can be quite high. Hospitalization, medical treatment, incarceration, police intervention, and emergency shelter expenses can add up quickly, making homelessness surprisingly expensive for municipalities and taxpayers. (author abstract)
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