In Italy, most of the HF programmes are implemented at the municipal level and use funding from the national level (which in turn use EU funds).

In recent years, homelessness policies and policies to combat severe adult marginalisation have entered the National social policy agenda with the aim of go beyond the emergency approach, supporting the adoption of an integrated strategic model and the development of housing inclusion paths inspired by the Housing First/Housing Led model.

In Italy, HF has been developed since 2014 on an experimental basis thanks to a bottom-up push coming from civil sector organisations led in particular by fio.PSD, the Italian Federation of Organisations working with people experiencing homelessness. Since then, HF has seen a significant growth, transforming itself from an experimental model to an innovative element to combat adult marginality.

In 2015, the Ministry of Labour and Social Policies inserts HF as a recommendation in the Guidelines for combating severe adult marginalisation in Italy. The Poverty Fund – Marginality Services Quota, allocated 5 million euro each year for the three-year period 2021-2023 to HF.

Housing First is recalled as a service to be strengthened in the fight against severe marginality but takes the form of temporary housing with the financing of temporary housing assistance (maximum 2 years).

As of today, a recent monitoring carried out by fio.PSD among its members shows 75 HF programmes in the 2014-2024 decade and 48 active programmes as of 31 December 2024. 78% benefited from the support of municipalities and the Ministry of Labour and Social Policy (27%). In 39% of the programmes the managing bodies collaborated with other ETS; local health authorities were involved in 20%, mainly as partners or consultants, 12% the Regions and 4% the Universities.

Foundations played roles as funders or partners. Other entities, such as diocesan Caritas and territorial housing companies, were involved in 20% of the programmes. The progress of the HF model is also supported by significant public investments, including resources from the NOP Inclusion and the NRP. Other sources include church funds (20% of programmes), private social funds (11%) and other forms of funding (9%). Each HF programme is financed on average by 3 different sources.

Within the framework of the PNRR (National Recovery and Resilience Plan) at present, there are estimates to activate 265 HF programmes in the metropolitan areas and social territorial ambits involved, foreseeing for each, the financing of 2-4 flats and the involvement of about 10- 15 persons for a total of 3,000 persons to be accommodated.

Fio.PSD is the umbrella organisation responsible to coordinate Housing First at national level, through the Housing First Italia Community. HFI offers training, coaching and supervision to third sector organisations and public bodies. To date, the Community has 61 members, spread across 14 regions and 37 cities, with a  predominance of members in Northern Italy.