House Resolution introduced by Representatives Webster, Sanchez, Waxman, Hill-Evans, Madden, Khan, Howard, Deasy, Schlossberg, and Cerrato on March 10, 2025, directs the Joint State Government Commission to conduct a comprehensive study on the cost and effectiveness of Housing First programs across the United States, as well as their potential impact in Pennsylvania. Housing First programs aim to provide stable housing to individuals experiencing homelessness, regardless of their background or challenges such as substance use disorders. The resolution highlights the pressing issue of homelessness in Pennsylvania, where there are over 14,000 unhoused individuals, and emphasizes the need for effective solutions, particularly for vulnerable populations such as veterans and children.

The study mandated by the resolution will assess the current state of homelessness in Pennsylvania, evaluate the success of Housing First programs in other states and cities, and compare the costs of these programs to traditional shelter-based approaches. Additionally, it will consider the effects of recent socioeconomic challenges, including the COVID-19 pandemic, on the unhoused population and examine the impact of homelessness on children's academic performance. The Joint State Government Commission is tasked with compiling a report of its findings and recommendations, which must be submitted within 18 months of the resolution's adoption to key legislative leaders.