WEBINAR: Managing Substance Use Concerns in Housing First Settings

On the 28th of January, the Evidence Exchange Network at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, the Canadian Housing First Network, and the Housing First Europe Hub hosted the International Housing First Webinar Series.

During the webinar, experts and practitioners from Canada and Finland explored  how to help Housing First clients who have substance use concerns, and how to build trust while reducing harm.

The presenters discussed the following topics:

• The importance of trust-based relationships and dialogue in Housing First work.
  This presentation discussed the importance of trust-based relationships and dialogue in Housing First work. Principles of client choice, flexible support, and person-centered planning challenge traditional professional ways of working with people with a background in homelessness and concerns with substance use. The presenter gave examples of different ways in which less harmful substance use can be promoted and maintained through interactional means in the support work carried out in clients’ homes.
  Presenter: Riikka Perälä 
• Some Practical Skills for Harm Reduction in Housing First
  Harm reduction is a natural fit with Housing First work but we often struggle to find practical skills to support clients who are struggling with substance use. This presentation provided some tools to enhance self-awareness and reduce your reactivity to client substance use. You will also hear about three practical skills you can use when working with your clients to improve your ability to work together and reduce the impacts of substance use on tenancy.
  Presenter: Lukas Maitland