As developers of the Pathways Housing First model the Institute is the premier provider for training, implementation support, program fidelity assessment, and research.  We provide workshops, webinars, program site visits, and consultation.  As a co-host of the Housing First Partners Conference the Institute is a resource for national and international networking among providers of Housing First programs and a resource for publications, videos and other educational training resources.

Rain City Housing First

FOUNDER, DR. SAM TSEMBERIS

Dr. Tsemberis founded Pathways to Housing in New York City in 1992 based on the belief that housing is a basic human right.  Based on the belief that people experiencing homelessness and struggling with mental illness or addiction should not have to prove they are housing ready.  And based on a program philosophy founded on love, respect, and creating possibilities. 

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At, Pathways to Housing, Tsemberis and a team that included program participants and advocates for consumer rights and housing rights, developed the model that came to be known as Housing First.  A program that provides immediate access to permanent housing and person-centered supports to people experiencing homelessness and struggling with problems of mental health and addiction.   

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Dr. Tsemberis leads the Pathways Housing First Institute which provides training and consultation to service organizations, city, county and national governments, and collaborates with provider agencies and educational institutions across the globe. Dr. Tsemberis is a community-clinical psychologist and on the faculty of at UCLA Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences.  He has published numerous articles and book chapters on the topics of homelessness, mental illness, harm reduction, community integration, and two books on Housing First.  His work has been recognized by, among others, the American Psychological Association for Distinguished Contribution and with a Meritorious Service Cross from the Government of Canada.  

Institute faculty consists of a national and international experts in the Pathways Housing programs with years of experience including clinical services, program operation, assessing programs fidelity and conducting research.   

SOCIAL IMPACT

The Pathways Housing First program in operational in more than 20 countries and while we are making progress in ending homelessness for those who are the most vulnerable, we are not moving to scale fast enough.   

We have a powerful remedy for homelessness and we must spread the word about this effective program and why every community should be implementing this model.

During the COVID-19 pandemic we experienced the power of media to quickly inform the public, raise public awareness, transform public opinion, and change public policy on issues of public health, homelessness, and racism.  

With dozens of independent studies confirming 85% housing stability rates and improvements in quality of life, Housing First is the equivalent of a vaccine for homelessness.  

This is why we working with other organizations, foundations, and individuals to build support to educate people on the effectiveness of the Housing First approach.  If we can educate people about this effective program to address homelessness and have their voices heard, we can motivate public officials to embrace the housing first on wide scale.

This national social impact campaign will include social media, public forums, professional conferences, seminars, publications, and more. 

THE FILM

Perhaps most important of all among all the things we will be doing is to work with a Bigger Vision Films to support the making of a documentary film that can tell the story of this solution to homelessness in a clear and compelling way.   

The documentary will be written and directed by Don Sawyer of A Bigger Vision Films (https://abiggervisionfilms.com). A Bigger Vision Films was formed in 2014 with a mission to inspire social change through documentary storytelling, with an emphasis on homelessness and race equity issues.  Don Sawyer is an award-winning African America filmmaker who wrote the 2014 film, Uncharted: The Truth Behind Homelessness, and produced and directed Under the Bridge: The Criminalization of Homelessness which won Best Hoosier Lens award at the 2016 Indy Film Fest and was screened at an event sponsored by HUD, the DOJ, and The National Law Center on Homelessness and Poverty.  

Please support our social impact campaign and the film.

Thank you.