Turning evidence into action to prevent and end homelessness 

The UCSF Benioff Homelessness and Housing Initiative (BHHI) provides accurate, timely, policy-oriented research about homelessness for local, state, and national policymakers and practitioners.

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181,000+
Californians experience homelessness daily
68%
of homeless Californians are unsheltered
7,754
people experiencing homelessness in San Francisco
21%
of homeless people across the US are older than 55
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Towards a New Understanding

Groundbreaking BHHI Study

The California Statewide Study of People Experiencing Homelessness

The UCSF Benioff Homelessness and Housing Initiative (BHHI) has released the largest representative study of homelessness in the United States since the mid-1990s, providing a comprehensive look at the causes and consequences of homelessness in California and recommending policy changes to shape programs in response. 

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Unsheltered Cover

New Encampment Tools

Unsheltered Homelessness

This topic brief and companion documents examine who experiences homelessness in unsheltered settings, how they lost their housing, their experiences during homelessness, and barriers to regaining housing. The findings highlight the urgent need for the homelessness system to advance evidence-based strategies to meet the needs of those experiencing homelessness in unsheltered settings.

Featured Content

Press Release
Statement by UCSF Benioff Homelessness and Housing Initiative Director Dr. Margot Kushel on the Supreme Court’s Decision in City of Grants Pass v. Johnson
Benioff Homelessness & Housing Initiative
June 28, 2024
On June 28, 2024, the Supreme Court ruled that cities may arrest and fine people for resting outside, even when they have nowhere else to go. This is an extreme decision that will have a dangerous and...
Opinion
Housing Ends Homelessness – Fines and Jail Time Won’t
US News & World Report
June 28, 2024
In this op-ed, Margot Kushel, MD, professor of medicine and director of the Benioff Homelessness and Housing Initiative at UCSF, highlights the cruelty and counterproductive policies in light of the U...
Opinion
Pregnant People Who Use Drugs Deserve Supportive Policies and Treatment, Not Punishment
Ms. Magazine
July 2, 2024
In this op-ed, Morgan Philbin, PhD, MHS, associate director at the Benioff Homelessness and Housing Initiative and director of the Educations Program, and Emilie Bruzelius, PhD, MPH, a post-doctoral f...
Videos
Webinar: Unsheltered Homelessness: A Solutions Oriented Approach
September 25, 2024
Most people experiencing homelessness in California do so in unsheltered settings, such as outdoors or in vehicles. This webinar is about the causes and consequences of unsheltered homelessness. Margo...
Videos
Webinar: Doing Research Together: The Nuts and Bolts of Doing Collaborative Research with Lived Experts
April 17, 2024
Are you a researcher who wants to include people with lived experience in your research? Are you an organization that wants to authentically involve community members in your program development or ev...
Videos
Webinar: Black Californians’ Experiences of Homelessness: Findings from CASPEH
February 21, 2024
Black Californians are nearly four times more likely than White Californians to experience homelessness. This webinar is about the causes and consequences of homelessness for Black Californians. Kara ...

"There is no medicine as powerful as housing."

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MargotKushelMD UCSF BHHI.jpeg
Margot Kushel, MD
Director, UCSF Benioff Homelessness & Housing Initiative

"The gravest threats to health are due to poverty, discrimination, and particularly homelessness. Here at UCSF, many dedicated researchers have devoted their careers to addressing these health inequities. The Benioffs’ continued leadership on these issues, exemplified by this generous gift, will further energize our efforts, and strengthen our links to communities in need at the local, state and national levels."

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Sam Hawgood, MBBS
Sam Hawgood, MBBS
Chancellor, University of California, San Francisco

"The world needs a North Star for truth on homelessness. The UCSF Benioff Homelessness and Housing Initiative will be that North Star, providing the latest research, data, and evidence-based solutions to ensure we’re investing in programs that will help solve the homelessness crisis."

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Marc Benioff
Marc Benioff