Homelessness prevention refers to a wide array of policies and interventions that address factors contributing to homelessness as a means of preventing it before it occurs. Some prevention activities may operate at a more general, society-wide level whereas others are targeted towards individuals in a crisis situation. Preventative approaches emerge from the observation that homelessness has identifiable causes and entry points and that identifying and effectively addressing these causes and pathways can reduce the number of people experiencing homelessness and be a critical part of a community’s plan to address homelessness.
