Dr. Sam Tsemberis is the creator of the Housing First model, an approach that begins with a core belief he has championed for decades: housing is a basic human right. His work has helped thousands of people with mental health and addiction challenges move from homelessness into homes of their own and has guided communities across the U.S. and globally in rethinking how to provide the services needed to support the recovery of people with complex needs. A clinical-community psychologist, Dr. Tsemberis is CEO of the Pathways Housing First Institute, where he leads efforts to train organizations, strengthen systems, and expand access to evidence based housing solutions. He serves on the faculty at UCLA and has written two influential books, along with many articles focusing on homelessness, mental health, and addiction. His contributions have been honored by leading national and international bodies, including the National Alliance to End Homelessness, the American Psychiatric Association, the American Psychological Association, and the Government of Canada. In 2024, he was recognized as one of TIME’s 100 Most Influential People.