The Housing Continuum is a foundational concept that says a successful housing system provides shelter for all, while facilitating people moving along the continuum (to the right) to improve their own socioeconomic well-being and health. A successful housing system will also contribute to improving the socioeconomic well-being of an entire community.
The Housing Continuum defines the different types of housing and social supports a community requires to meet the needs of all its residents—especially those of lower incomes. It is important to ensure that housing is available at all points along the continuum so that everyone has options for safe and affordable housing.
Some residents will enter at the left and move along to the right. Others may enter at other points on the continuum. Some will move back and forth as socioeconomics change, but a healthy housing system ensures that there are enough units in all the stages for all who need them. At the far right end of the continuum (but not shown here) would be market value rental and market value ownership.