HOUSING FIRST APPROACH

Housing First is a new way of responding to homelessness. Instead of requiring people to prove they are “housing ready,” it offers a home immediately, without conditions. With flexible support, people can stay in ordinary housing, build stability, and improve wellbeing. Proven worldwide, this model helps people keep housing long-term while enhancing health and quality of life.

This section provides tools and resources to strengthen programmes—from securing housing and funding to staff training, evaluation, and scaling.

Launching a Housing First programme is only the beginning. Sustaining it requires secure funding, strong partnerships, and support for both staff and participants. With the right foundations, Housing First not only provides safe homes but also creates better chances for recovery, stability, and inclusion.

This section offers practical tools and resources to strengthen programmes: from securing housing stock and funding, to staff training, evaluation, and long-term scaling.

Housing First is most effective when built into broader strategies that prioritise housing, prevention, and long-term support. Moving beyond short-term projects to coordinated policies and sustainable funding transforms Housing First from a pilot into a lasting solution.

This section explores advocacy strategies, evidence, and policy tools to drive the systems change needed to end homelessness.

Youth homelessness has unique causes and challenges. Housing First for Youth adapts the model for people aged 13–24, focusing on prevention, rapid housing, and the stability young people need to continue education, develop skills, and build wellbeing.

This section brings together resources, guides, and case studies to help services deliver housing and supports that truly work for youth.

Women experiencing homelessness often face trauma, violence, or family challenges that require specialised support. Housing First for Women adapts the model to prioritise safety, dignity, and inclusion, while staying true to the evidence-based principles that make Housing First effective.

This section highlights resources, research, and practice examples to support organisations in designing gender-sensitive Housing First programmes that better meet women’s needs.