Letters to the editor can be submitted by sending an email to tuletters@timesunion.com or completing this form. See our guidelines on letters.

As RISE Housing and Support Services bids to operate its low-barrier, “housing first” homeless shelter in Saratoga Springs for another year, there is discussion of the “housing first” approach to addressing homelessness as compared to a “treatment first” model. In “housing first,” housing is regarded as a fundamental right, regardless of a client’s mental condition or drug use. In “treatment first,” the client is required to get treatment as a condition of shelter. This can lead to incarceration if the client is ordered by a judge to get treatment and refuses.

“Housing first” is the gold standard for addressing homelessness. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development found "housing first" leads to "quicker exits from homelessness and greater housing stability" compared to treatment first. That review also found "housing first" may shorten stays in hospitals, residential substance abuse programs, nursing homes, and prisons.

And, according to the National Low Income Housing Coalition, “Evidence from a systematic review of 26 studies indicates that Housing First programs decreased homelessness by 88% and improved housing stability by 41%, compared to Treatment First programs. Clients in stable housing experienced better quality of life and showed reduced hospitalization and emergency department use.”

According to Saratoga Springs Mayor John Safford, officials don’t want to provide permanent space to RISE, which is temporarily housed on Adelphi Street, because they disagree with its "housing first" approach. He told a Times Union reporter that he is against “housing first,” and that the county would like to see people sober before they're housed.

The mayor and other officials mean well, but research suggests they are wrong. They should do their homework.

The writer is the Chair of the Saratoga Springs Democratic Committee.

Published July 14, 2025

The article, “Push on to boost gender-affirming care,” June 24, highlights a critical moment for New York. As the federal government escalates its attacks on transgender people, including efforts to strip Medicaid coverage for lifesaving care, our state must be........

© Times Union