On Thursday, 12 February 2026, the Housing First Europe Hub and the Canadian Housing Network organised the first 2026 webinar in the International Housing First Webinar Series.
This session brought together experts from across Europe and Canada to explore how national Housing First networks are developed, sustained, and strengthened over time.
Keynote speakers:
- Emine Özkan, Programme Manager, WOHNSCHIRM Housing First, and Director, Housing First Austria
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Andrea Ziegler, Head of Department for Social Policy Matters in Housing Policy, Federal Ministry of Social Affairs, Austria
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Tim Aubry, Co-chair of the Canadian Housing First Network and Emeritus Professor in the School of Psychology and Centre for Research on Educational and Community Services at the University of Ottawa
- Geoffrey Nelson, Co-chair of the Canadian Housing First Network and Emeritus Professor of Psychology at Wilfrid Laurier University, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada.
Participants asked about the funding structure of the programme, where it was clarified that the initiative is funded entirely at the federal level, with the government playing a central role in driving its development. Speakers explained that the programme was strongly supported by the government, particularly in response to concerns during the COVID-19 pandemic about a potential rise in evictions and homelessness.
Questions were also raised about quality assurance and staff qualifications. Counselling centres wishing to participate in the programme must demonstrate relevant experience, appropriate infrastructure, and qualified staff during the application process. In addition, the processing centre conducts regular quality audits. Frontline workers are trained social workers or professionals with similar qualifications, and additional support is provided through meetings, communities of practice, and webinars.
Participants also asked about programme timelines and support for clients. It was explained that housing matching typically takes around four months, after which individuals can move into housing. Six months of social work support then begins and can be extended for as long as needed, depending on the individual’s circumstances.
The discussion also touched on the legal context of housing rights, noting that the Austrian constitution does not contain a specific provision guaranteeing the right to housing.
Further questions focused on training opportunities and practice approaches within Housing First programmes. Recent training topics mentioned included trauma-informed care, housing security and rent monitoring, housing acquisition, loneliness as a social problem, counselling with language barriers, LGBTI+ inclusion in homeless assistance, motivational interviewing, suicidality, and safety during home visits.
Finally, speakers highlighted client engagement approaches, noting that assertive engagement strategies from the Pathways Housing First model are used, along with resources such as the Intensive Case Management Toolkit.
Watch the recording of the webinar below: