GOP Congressman Moves to Dismantle Housing First Policy That Fuels Homelessness

As America’s cities drown in tents, needles, and rising crime, one Republican congressman is stepping up with a plan to reverse the disastrous federal policy fueling the homeless crisis.

Rep. Andy Barr (R-KY) is preparing to introduce the Housing Promotes Livelihood and Ultimate Success (PLUS) Act, which would drastically scale back the Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) exclusive support for the failed Housing First model.

“Housing First policy shuts out providers who offer critical wraparound services that are often essential for helping individuals break the cycle of homelessness,” Barr said. “We need to abandon HUD’s exclusive reliance on Housing First in favor of an all-hands-on-deck approach.”

This isn’t just a policy adjustment it’s a full-scale correction to a decade-long federal disaster.

Here’s the truth the Left won’t tell you:

• 80% of America’s homeless population struggles with mental illness or addiction, according to housing experts.

• The Obama administration defunded treatment and recovery programs in 2013, redirecting billions toward no-strings-attached housing subsidies.

• The result? A 25% spike in homelessness in areas that adopted Housing First exclusively, per a 2022 Cicero Institute report.

It’s the federal government’s so-called solution to homelessness that prioritizes free housing with no conditions attached no requirement for sobriety, job training, therapy, or even engagement with caseworkers.

The message is clear: just hand over the keys and hope for the best.

But under Barr’s new legislation, at least 50% of HUD’s Continuum of Care grants would be redirected to programs that offer wraparound services addiction treatment, job training, counseling, and mental health care the very things that help people actually get back on their feet.

“The Housing PLUS Act ensures federal funds are reaching providers who are helping people transition from homelessness to self-sufficiency, without unneeded restrictions,” Barr explained.

Barr is running to replace retiring Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell and with Republicans now in control of both Congress and the White House, this could be the first time a serious challenge to Housing First actually crosses the finish line.

Until now, faith-based shelters, rehab-focused nonprofits, and recovery programs have been largely shut out from federal funding, simply because they require participants to confront the very issues that led to homelessness namely, drugs and untreated mental illness.

That’s not compassion that’s neglect.

“What HUD did under Obama was they defunded those services… and put all of that funding into more housing subsidies,” said Michele Steeb, a senior fellow at the Texas Public Policy Foundation.

Now, America’s once-vibrant cities are in shambles, with streets overrun by fentanyl zombies, repeat offenders, and dangerous encampments. Even liberal cities like San Francisco and Portland are quietly admitting Housing First isn’t working but they’re too politically invested to admit it out loud.

Rep. Barr’s Housing PLUS Act is a return to common sense: stop throwing money at the symptom and start treating the cause.

• No more blanket subsidies for failure.

• No more handouts without accountability.

• No more policies that ignore addiction, ignore crime, and ignore the human dignity of those on the streets.

This bill is the wake-up call America’s housing policy desperately needs and a critical first step in restoring public safety, compassion, and self-sufficiency across our cities.

Share this with someone who thinks homelessness is just about housing and subscribe to our newsletter for more stories exposing the policies breaking our cities.