As the buzz of the conference begins to settle, I find myself looking back on Friday with a mixture of grounded realism and immense energy. Gathering our European Housing First community right here in Rotterdam has felt special. Rotterdam offered us more than just a welcoming backdrop, it gave us a space to connect, share candid lessons across borders, and remind ourselves why we do this work.
If there was one central takeaway, it is that we cannot afford to let political attention drift. With housing protests emerging across Europe, public demand for the fundamental right to housing is louder than ever. We must harness this momentum and keep the pressure on policymakers. Platforms like EPOCH and initiatives led by Matthew Baldwin through the Housing Task Force reinforce this urgency: homelessness is not an isolated issue, but part of a wider housing continuum. As Matthew emphasised, Housing First is a must-have, not a nice-to-have. Tangible examples shared by our Danish panel proved that systemic change works when the right financial incentives steer municipalities toward Housing First. Proven solutions and new ideas are there for the taking; we must keep voicing them at the highest levels.
At the same time, Matt Downie’s reflections on UK politics were a powerful reminder that even flawed policies or services are often driven by compassionate people trying their best. His call to be bold, do things differently, and be realistic in others intentions resonated deeply. That balance—uncompromisingly bold in mission, yet genuinely kind in engagement—is precisely the leadership I believe in. That is the kind of social reformer we must strive to be.
Finally, in her closing remarks, my colleague Anke Jansen addressed the quietest, most stubborn barrier to housing rights: stigma. Her call to action was confronting: challenge yourself, and challenge others, on prejudice. When Sydney Costantini presented compelling figures on the decreasing mortality rate in Housing First as opposed to traditional models, the uncomfortable underlying question remains: who outside this room actually cares?
We care deeply, of course. But stigma often causes decision-makers and the public to look away. Daring to ask uncomfortable questions means asking: how often do we actually put the reality of stigma on the desks of politicians and corporate leaders? It also means holding up a mirror to our own sector: if we struggle to stay in the room when recovery is slow, non-linear, and messy, how can we expect private landlords or neighbours to bridge that gap?
Our task moving forward is not to sell a polished fairy tale about Housing First, but to build communities resilient enough to hold the friction that comes with recovery. As Anke urged, we must refuse to let biased norms slide; in policy, the media, or our own practice.
The community built here in Rotterdam is ready to push forward. Let’s keep Housing First at the top of the agenda: boldly, kindly, and together.
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About the Author:
Melanie Schmit
Housing First Netherlands