The Demise of Housing First Policy: The New Missouri Policy That Criminalizes Homelessness

This Note examines the potential negative complications of Missouri H.B. 1606. The Note also explores possible avenues for relief through litigation or policy reform. H.B. 1606 is a Missouri state bill that altered the State’s policy towards decreasing the rate of homelessness in the State of Missouri. Prior to H.B. 1606, Missouri’s homelessness policy resembled a “Housing First” approach where emphasis was placed on providing affordable permanent housing to those without homes. With the passage of H.B. 1606, the policy turned towards supporting short-term housing initiatives and abandoned the “Housing First” approach. H.B. 1606 also contains a provision that makes it a crime for homeless individuals to sleep on public land. This Note discusses why the provisions of H.B. 1606 are problematic for the homeless population and the organizations that support them, how the language of H.B. 1606 may jeopardize the State of Missouri’s receipt of federal funding, the merits of “Housing First” Policy, and the remedies that exist for defending against H.B. 1606 or rectifying it through legislation.