This is a classic "Harm Reduction" strategy and suggests a forward thinking attitude on the part of Seattle and Portland administrators. My grandfather used to say, "Sometimes you have to give folks what they want in order to get the chance to give them what they need." In Amsterdam, "user rooms" have been a HR approach to intravenous drug addiction for some time. The result is that many users befriend staff and seek treatment resulting in marked reduction in use if not abstinence. Congratulations to Seattle and Portland.

I think this is a great idea & approach to homelessness. Not only has it saved $ for the cities of Seattle & Portland, but it has cut down on crime & has given homeless people an opportunity to change their lives. It has also given hope to these people & also provides an opportunity for them to get treatment, which is the ultimate goal. With this opportunity, more people will want treatment & rehabilitation because when they get it, they will have a place to live while going through treatment, so they won't have to worry about where they are going to live upon completion & during treatment. This will also cut down on crime tremendously. It gives homeless people hope which is somthing they have lacked in the past. Without hope, it is almost impossible to quit drinking & or drugging. This should also include drug addicts considering alcohol after all is a drug. But because drugs are illegal, homeless people should not be able to use drugs in their apartment. It is a greet idea, mainly because it gives hope to the homeless people who would otherwise have no hope.

The "Housing First" and "Harm Reduction" models are some of the best approaches toward reducing social problems, drug addiction, and overdose. Our great city--the other Portland (Maine)--has chosen to adopt the housing first model and despite initial community hesitation, Logan Place has been a great asset (see: http://www.endlongtermhomelessness.org/2007_maxwell_awards/avesta_logan_place.aspx). As a person working in the field of substance abuse prevention (trying to promote harm reduction techniques to the using community), I can only hope that more and more people become aware and accepting of harm reduction and housing first models. Thank you JT for highlighting these wonderful initiatives!