HUD report says housing vouchers outperform other homeless intervention methods

A government study says housing vouchers may be the best way to reduce homelessness in the United States.

A Department of Housing and Urban Development study released Tuesday examined homeless families in emergency shelters in 12 U.S. cities. After 18 months, the families that were offered a housing voucher were less likely to re-enter homelessness or experience housing instability.

The families used vouchers to help pay for housing that they find in the private market. According to the report, those families experienced reduced psychological distress, domestic violence and food insecurity.

HUD plans to follow the families for at least three years and will report again in 2017.