News

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Monday, August 23rd 2013 Albuquerque Heading Home officially released the results of a cost-benefit study conducted by researchers at the University of New Mexico. The study, designed to measure savings resulting from the permanent housing initiative, revealed a 31.6% savings in overall costs.

Current national data shows that the most vulnerable individuals experiencing homelessness tend to be the highest users of community and social services such as emergency rooms, and in/outpatient treatment services. While these individuals use the services more frequently, they also require more acute care for preventable conditions which are exacerbated by the circumstances of homelessness. Jails are also frequented by this population. Expense and over-crowding are key issues in Albuquerque. The UNM study reports a 64% decrease in jail costs.

ABQ Heading Home, launched in 2011, seeks to house the most medically vulnerable experiencing chronic homelessness in Albuquerque. Findings of the local study show that this population, once housed, averages an individual savings of $12,831 annually. According to the research, the more than 200 people already housed through ABQ Heading Home could be saving the community millions of dollars a year.

“This data proves that housing, with supportive services, continues to be the solution to homelessness,” said Heading Home CEO, Dennis Plummer. “It validates the ‘Community Response to Homelessness’ that we share with our many partners,” he said. Albuquerque Heading Home is part of the implementation of a plan crafted by non-profits throughout the community to end homelessness. Copies, along with research released today, are available at www.abqheadinghome.org.

Download Press Release - Cost Study Results 9-23-13

Download the Full Heading Home Cost Study and Report in Brief

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