Reflections on the Housing First Conference – 29 October 2026
What a fantastic day at the Housing First Conference in Rotterdam!
From the very first moment, the atmosphere felt like a breath of fresh air. So many passionate people coming together, sharing experiences, exchanging knowledge and working towards the same cause: making housing a reality for everyone.
The energetic music at the start of the day immediately set the tone. There was a real sense of connection, enthusiasm and shared purpose.
One of the highlights for me was Melanie’s presentation, which beautifully illustrated the evolution of Housing First and Wonen Eerst in the Netherlands. It was an inspiring reflection on how far we have come, but also on the challenges we face as we continue to develop and scale up our approaches.
Throughout the day, the workshops offered plenty of opportunities for discussion and reflection. In one of the sessions exploring psychiatric perspectives and the importance of people’s networks in Housing First, the interaction was particularly interesting. At certain moments, participants were invited to vote with red or green cards in response to statements. And sometimes, there were only green cards in the room! A beautiful reminder that, despite our different backgrounds and approaches, we share so many fundamental values.
“We may have different perspectives and different ways of working, but at the heart of Housing First, we share the same vision: people, relationships and the right to a home.”
Our journey in Amsterdam: from the bronze key to the golden key
Together with Rokus Loopik and Martin Kok, I had the pleasure of facilitating a workshop about the evolution of Housing First at HVO-Querido in Amsterdam.
We took participants on a journey through time, using three symbolic keys: bronze, silver and gold.
Rokus opened our story with the bronze key, taking us back to the pioneering years and the early foundations of Housing First in Amsterdam.
He then handed over the silver key, representing the period from 2007 to 2019. These were the years in which Housing First really developed, with an enormous investment in relationships, trust, individual choice and personalised support. A significant milestone came in 2016, when Housing First became part of Amsterdam’s local policy.
And finally, the golden key, representing the period from 2019 to 2026, when Housing First was brought to scale. Martin reflected on both the successes and the challenges of this development.
Scaling up has meant that many more people in Amsterdam have been given the opportunity to have a home. That is an achievement worth celebrating! At the same time, growing bigger brings challenges when it comes to staying faithful to the original Housing First principles and preserving the personal approach that made it so powerful in the first place.
“Scaling up Housing First is not only about opening more doors. It is about making sure that, behind every door, the original values of Housing First remain alive.”
During our workshop, we shared inspiring films, successes, difficult moments and lessons learned over almost two decades. Some of the films visibly moved people in the room. And perhaps that was the most powerful reminder of the day: behind every policy, model, discussion and statistic, there is a human being.
A home is a beginning, but connection makes a difference
From the HVO-Querido Centre of Expertise, we also organised a small photo exhibition featuring portraits of Housing First clients, each accompanied by their personal story.
We invited conference participants to take a moment to visit the exhibition, read the stories and choose a person whose story touched them or resonated with them.
They could then write a personal card to that person and, if they wished, leave their phone number as a way of opening the door to further contact. We would then make sure that each client received a picture of their portrait together with the personal message written for them.
It was a simple initiative, but one with an important message.
Housing First is a beautiful and powerful model. Having your own home is a fundamental human right and an essential foundation for recovery. But we also know that loneliness and social isolation remain significant challenges for many people living in Housing First housing.
A home does not automatically mean having a social network, feeling connected or being part of a community.
Sometimes, even a small personal message from a stranger can make someone feel seen, valued and remembered.
Because Housing First is not just about having a roof over your head. It is about having the opportunity to build a life, with dignity, relationships and a sense of belonging.
Looking back, looking forward
What made the day so special was not only the knowledge being shared, but also the energy, openness and commitment of everyone present.
We have come a long way, and we still have work to do. But days like today remind me why we started this journey and why it is so important to continue it together.
“The keys may have changed from bronze to silver to gold, but the most important thing has never changed: the person at the centre of it all.”
Thank you to everyone who contributed to such an inspiring day. I left Rotterdam feeling energised, —-connected and hopeful about what we can achieve together.
About the Author:
Valerie Boogaard
HVO-Querido – Centre of Expertise