Connecticut is out-performing the nation in our efforts to end homelessness. We’ve had four straight years in a row of falling annual homelessness, and three straight years of falling homelessness in our Point-in-Time Count. Why? Because Connecticut’s nonprofit, state, and federal partners have come together to work as unified teams in each community – breaking down siloes, eliminating duplication of efforts, and utilizing established best practices, not what we think or wish would work. Those best practices include working in a “Housing First” approach – providing housing to those experiencing homelessness as a first (not last) step to help them achieve the stability they need to address mental illness or substance abuse issues.

The Day’s article of May 20 titled “Housing First: Reducing Homelessness, or Perpetuating a Cycle?” questions whether this approach is working. From the frontlines of homelessness to the data we are collecting at a statewide level, we can answer that question: Housing First is working, effectively ending homelessness for many. There is no one approach that will work for everyone, all the time, whatever the problem we are seeking to solve. That is as true for homelessness as it is for any other significant challenge.

But for the majority of those facing homelessness, Housing First – an evidence-based best practice that has been tried and tested across the U.S., Canada, and Europe – helps people to exit homelessness and get to a place where they can successfully tackle other important challenges, whether unemployment, mental illness, or substance abuse. We call it “Housing First” for the simple reason that housing is the essential base of stability that every human being requires to address other needs.

Some of our best information on what works to end homelessness comes from research on helping homeless veterans. In 2013, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs National Center on Homelessness Among Veterans published the results of a demonstration project initiated in 2010. Those researchers compared an explicit Housing First program — offering immediate permanent housing without requiring treatment compliance, abstinence, or “housing readiness” — with a treatment-first program for 177 homeless veterans. The Housing First initiative successfully reduced time to housing placement from 223 to 35 days. Housing retention rates were significantly higher among Housing First tenants. And emergency room use declined significantly among the Housing First cohort.

Consistent with that study, the National Alliance to End Homelessness cites the fact that, “Providing access to housing generally results in cost savings for communities because housed people are less likely to use emergency services, including hospitals, jails, and emergency shelter, than those who are homeless.”

Housing First does not imply that housing alone addresses all the challenges so many of our neighbors face. In particular, the path from addiction to recovery is a long and difficult one. Even with a home, those who are struggling to stay clean and sober may encounter others using substances in many places – on the streets, in friends’ and family’s homes, and at places they gather for recreation. That’s why it’s important to have robust treatment options and supports available to help people when they leave treatment.

People with health challenges, inadequate income, and mental health concerns also need access to community supports as they work to build a full and independent life after homelessness. Housing is the first step on a longer road to better health, increased income, and greater participation in our community. Together, we’re driving down the numbers of people experiencing homelessness and giving people the stability to address the other challenges they face. This can only make us all stronger.

Cathy Zall is the executive director of the New London Homeless Hospitality Center. Lisa Tepper Bates is the executive director of the Connecticut Coalition to End Homelessness. The Day tried to reach Zall for the Housing First story, but was unsuccessful.