Dr. Sam Tsemberis is best known as 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 illness move from homelessness into homes of their own and has guided communities across the U.S. and globally in rethinking how they support people with complex needs to live in housing of their choice and engage with their communities. A clinical-community psychologist, Dr. Tsemberis is CEO of the Pathways Housing First Institute where he leads initiatives 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.