Youth

Adapted from the successful Housing First approach, Housing First for Youth (HF4Y) is a rights-based intervention for young people (aged 13-24) who are experiencing homelessness, or who are at risk of becoming homeless. The goal of HF4Y is to support young people through their adolescence and facilitate a healthy transition to adulthood, all while having a safe and stable place to call home.

Housing First for Youth (HF4Y)

What is Housing First for Youth?

Housing First for Youth (HF4Y) is a rights-based intervention for young people who experience homelessness, or who are at risk. The goal is to help prevent homelessness or help youth to quickly exit homelessness. HF4Y is designed to address the needs of developing adolescents and young adults by providing them with immediate access to housing that is safe, affordable and appropriate, and the necessary and age-appropriate supports that focus on health, wellbeing, life skills, engagement in education and employment, and social inclusion. It is not time limited, and more than just offering housing and supports.

The Core Principles of HF4Y

Positive youth development orientation

Social and community integration

Social and community integration

Youth choice and self-determination

Immediate access to housing with no preconditions

An Introduction to Housing First for Youth (HF4Y)

Designed for people who are learning about Housing First for Youth (HF4Y) for the first time, this short introductory guide offers an overview of the key elements of HF4Y and why it’s important, together with frequently asked questions and answers.

Read or download the publication here.

THIS Is Housing First for Youth: Europe – A program model guide

Working in cooperation with our partners in Canada, Ireland, Scotland and The Netherlands, the Hub is delighted to announce the publication of This Is Housing First for Youth – Europe – a programme model guide for starting up and running HF4Y in Europe. The guide is available in English and French.

Read or download the guide:

HF4Y Community of Practice

The Housing First Europe Hub is trying to establish a Housing First for Youth Community of Practice!

This would allow professionals and front line staff to have a space where they can share experiences and knowledge, and confront each other on the practice of Housing First for Youth.

If you are interested in taking part in this initiative, please fill out this form.

Feel free to also share the link with anyone who may want to be a part of this community– the more the merrier!

Should you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact Samara Jones, Programme Coordinator at the Housing First Europe Hub: samara.jones@housingfirsteurope.eu

Learn more

  • Train-the-Trainer: Housing First for Youth

    Date: 13th – 15th of March 2023 Location: Lyon, France Cost: Own accommodation, travel, meals (except lunch) The Housing First Europe Hub is excited to announce its first Train…

    Check it out here
  • Learning from Youth with Lived Experience to Realize Homelessness Prevention in Schools: Learnings from Tio’tiá:ke/Montréal

    While schools can be a powerful site of homelessness prevention, they are also a potential site of harm for many young people, particularly youth with disabilities and mental health…

    Check it out here
  • PODCAST: Seeing Double on Youth Homelessness

    In this episode of the On the Way Home podcast, Dr. Naomi Thulien and Mardi Daley discuss their presentation at CAEH’s National Conference on Ending Homelessness and the Transitioning…

    Check it out here

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the implications of homelessness for young people?

What are the causes of youth homelessness?

Who is Housing First for Youth for?

How are youth different from the adult population in their housing needs?

What types of housing are provided in Housing First for Youth?

Can Housing First for Youth be used as a preventative measure?

How is Housing First for Youth different from other models of youth housing support?

What are the differences between Housing First for Youth and Housing First?

How does Housing First for Youth support education and employment for young people?