Supportive housing is one of the most effective interventions we have to end homelessness. So why does it keep struggling? The answer isn't more funding. It's not more units. It's how we're setting up supportive housing operations to fail. THE PROBLEM Property management treated as a passive landlord role—when it's actually mission-critical work. Services expected to do everything—even what they're not funded or trained for. Operational gaps that no one is resourced to fill—so staff burn out and residents fall through the cracks. Systems that depend on individual heroes—and collapse when those heroes leave. The result? Properties struggling. Staff overwhelmed. Residents underserved. And a sector that knows supportive housing works—but can't figure out why it keeps failing. THE SOLUTION In Beyond Permanent: The Evolution of Supportive Housing Operations, supportive housing expert Kevin Lewis exposes the systemic problems plaguing the field—and provides the practical solutions needed to fix them. Drawing on over 15 years managing supportive housing properties across California, Lewis reveals: ✓ Why the term "Permanent Supportive Housing" creates dangerous misconceptions that undermine lease enforcement and put properties at risk ✓ The critical difference between Housing First and supportive services—and why confusing them creates operational chaos ✓ The hidden gaps in supportive housing operations (application phase, after-hours crisis response, move-in coordination, re-engagement support)—and how to build infrastructure to fill them ✓ Why property management in supportive housing is specialized work—and what adequate funding and training actually look like ✓ Eight practical, actionable solutions that owners, funders, policymakers, and operators can implement immediately WHO THIS BOOK IS FOR • Property managers and operations staff doing specialized work without adequate resources or recognition • Service providers navigating unclear roles and impossible expectations • Owners and developers who want to build supportive housing that actually works—and lasts • Funders and policymakers with the power to change the systems that are failing supportive housing • Advocates fighting for more—and better—supportive housing WHAT READERS ARE SAYING "This book finally names the problems we've been living with for years—and gives us a roadmap to fix them." "Essential reading for anyone working in supportive housing. Kevin Lewis gets it." ABOUT THE AUTHOR Kevin Lewis is a supportive housing operations expert and consultant with over 15 years of experience in permanent supportive housing property management. He has worked with leading California organizations including Skid Row Housing Trust, Abode Communities, Homerise, and MidPen Housing. He is the founder of Kevindale Consulting and the author of multiple books on supportive housing, homelessness, and housing policy. Supportive housing works when it's done right. This book shows you how.
