The Tahoe Housing Hub is guided by a set of core beliefs. At the top of that list is the belief that housing should be available to all in our community. What that means to us is stable, dignified housing for our friends and neighbors, local workers, families, retirees and the unhoused. Despite our cold and snowy winters, too many of our neighbors are unhoused, often living in cars, tents, or unstable temporary arrangements.

What is Permanent Supportive Housing?

Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH) is a proven, effective solution that helps people exit chronic homelessness by providing affordable housing paired with individualized support services. It is not a homeless shelter, a group home, or a halfway house. It is long-term, stable housing—often apartments—with leases, just like any other housing. What makes it “supportive” is that residents also have access to services like:

• Mental and physical health care
• Employment and job training
• Childcare and food assistance
• Substance use recovery support

These services are voluntary and tailored to each resident’s goals. The PSH model is built on the understanding that stable housing is the foundation from which people can rebuild their lives.

Tenants in PSH sign leases and pay rent—often around 30% of their income, which may include disability or Social Security benefits. An on-site manager or service coordinator helps connect residents to services and ensures the property is well-maintained and supportive. PSH housing looks different depending on the community. In urban areas, it’s often part of apartment-style developments that include a mix of affordable and supportive housing. But in the Tahoe region, we’ve adapted the model to fit the local housing stock and community context.

Does PSH Work?

Yes—and the research backs it up. Studies show that PSH:

1. Reduces homelessness by 80% (Terner Center)
2. Improves housing retention and health outcomes (California Policy Lab)
3. Lowers the use of emergency services, including hospitals and jails, saving taxpayer dollars (SAMHSA – Permanent Supportive Housing: The Evidence (PDF))
4. Does not increase crime or reduce property values (RAND Evaluation, Furman Center Study)

Local Progress: PSH in North Tahoe and Truckee

A 14-unit PSH facility opened in the Kings Beach area in 2024 and is now home to individuals who were already living in our community – some in tents, cars, or unstable situations. The location was intentionally chosen – close to services, groceries, and public transit. Residents now have a foundation for health, stability, and growth. You can watch a video about the project and meet some of its residents here. 

Looking ahead, a new PSH project in Truckee will get underway in the summer of 2025 at the former CHP site near the intersection of Hwy 80 and State Route 89. The project is a 55-unit affordable housing apartment complex and will include 10 units of PSH with on-site management and support services.

Why This Matters Now

Each year, about 117 households in the Tahoe-Truckee region access homeless services. But only one-third are placed in stable housing. That means many of our neighbors remain unhoused, cycling between temporary shelters, camps, and emergency care.

The recently released draft Tahoe Truckee Regional Homeless Action Plan outlines a five-year plan to address this issue with PSH as a cornerstone strategy. The action plan recommends solutions like PSH’s as a key tool for success. You can read the full plan here.

PSH is not just about housing. It’s about belonging, recovery, and hope. It’s a path forward for individuals and families who have faced extraordinary challenges—and an opportunity for our community to come together with compassion and care. At the Tahoe Housing Hub, we’re proud to support solutions that work—and to help create a future where everyone has a place to call home.