LA's Skid Row Reveals Failure of 'Housing First' Approach

Homelessness crisis in Skid Row highlights need for comprehensive treatment, not just housing.

Apr. 12, 2026 at 11:26pm

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A high-contrast, brightly colored silkscreen print of a shopping cart repeated in a grid pattern, conceptually representing the homelessness crisis in Skid Row.The vibrant, chaotic imagery of Skid Row's homeless encampments reflects the failure of Los Angeles' 'Housing First' policies to address the complex needs of those suffering from addiction and mental illness.Los Angeles Today

Skid Row in Los Angeles has become a stark example of the failure of the 'Housing First' policy, which places homeless individuals in permanent housing without requiring sobriety, treatment, or stability first. The area is plagued by addiction, untreated mental illness, violence, and human suffering, with many residents unable to maintain their housing or get the support they need.

Why it matters

The situation in Skid Row demonstrates that simply providing housing is not enough to address the complex needs of those suffering from severe addiction and mental illness. The 'Housing First' approach has failed to confront the root causes of homelessness, instead creating a containment zone for human suffering that is being called 'compassion'.

The details

Skid Row spans roughly fifty blocks in downtown Los Angeles and is one of the most concentrated homeless zones in the United States. It is filled with people trapped in addiction and untreated, severe mental illness, often marked by psychosis. The area is plagued by violence, with frequent assaults and the abuse of animals. Despite the presence of police, there is little they can do due to policy and legal constraints.

  • Skid Row has been a problem in Los Angeles for years, as the city has embraced the 'Housing First' model.
  • The author recently accompanied a journalist to interview a tenant who became infamous for destroying his apartment, showcasing the weaknesses of the current system.

The players

Kevin Dahlgren

A contributor to Discovery Institute's Fix Homelessness initiative and a grassroots journalist documenting homelessness, addiction, and systemic homelessness policy failures on the West Coast.

Jonathan Choe

A journalist from the Discovery Institute who accompanied Dahlgren to interview a tenant in Skid Row.

Egg God

A tenant in Skid Row who became infamous for posting videos of himself destroying his apartment, mocking local authorities because he knew how difficult it would be to evict him.

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What they’re saying

“There is nothing compassionate about allowing people to rot in tents, animals to suffer at the hands of abusive owners, or the vulnerable to be dominated by the violent and unstable. There is nothing humane about subsidizing self-destruction and calling it mercy. That is not compassion. It is abandonment.”

— Kevin Dahlgren, Contributor, Discovery Institute's Fix Homelessness initiative

What’s next

The author argues that Skid Row needs a comprehensive approach that ties housing to treatment, psychiatric care, sobriety requirements, and consequences for chronic violence, abuse, and public disorder. The current 'Housing First' model is not enough to address the complex needs of those suffering from severe addiction and mental illness.

The takeaway

The situation in Skid Row demonstrates that the 'Housing First' approach, which places homeless individuals in permanent housing without requiring sobriety, treatment, or stability first, has failed to address the root causes of homelessness. A more comprehensive approach that includes treatment, psychiatric care, and consequences for disruptive behavior is needed to truly help those suffering from addiction and mental illness.