Project Roomkey: A Critical Evaluation of California's Homeless Shelter Initiative

A comprehensive study reveals mixed outcomes for Project Roomkey, highlighting successes in temporary housing but challenges in long-term solutions.

Project Roomkey provided temporary hotel stays for 62,000 homeless individuals during the COVID-19 pandemic, aiming to reduce virus spread and improve living conditions.
Despite initial success, the program faced significant data gaps, making it difficult to fully assess its impact on long-term homelessness prevention.
A substantial portion of participants returned to homelessness, underscoring the need for more sustainable housing solutions.
Researchers recommend continued use of non-congregate shelters and better integration of health services to improve outcomes.
The program's future is uncertain as federal funding cuts pose financial challenges for continued operation.