Housing for Housing First can be scattered-site (single apartments or houses scattered throughout the standard housing stock) or single-site (multiple apartments in the same building). 

Housing can come from a variety of sources, including:

• Social or public housing;
• Social rental agencies;
• Private rental agreements;
• Rental agreements using a non-governmental (NGO) intermediary, which signs a long-term contract with the landlord or building developer on behalf of the tenant; the tenant then sub-lets the property from the NGO.

Housing for Housing First should not be intended as a different, separate type of housing dedicated exclusively to people with experience – or at risk – of homelessness. On the contrary, the philosophy of Housing First encourages the use of housing which is standardised, typically found in any neighbourhood, so that tenants can have as ‘normal’ a tenancy experience as possible. This in turn contributes towards their pathway out of homelessness and towards social (re-)integration.

In most European countries, people who are eligible for Housing First are also eligible for social welfare and housing benefits. Often the funding is combined from different streams of support, for instance housing benefits and healthcare support for treatment. These benefits can be used to cover the cost of the services provided. Some Housing First programmes are funded by foundations and other project funding, which allows them to work with people who do not have recourse to public funds.

Housing First tenants are expected to follow the conditions of their lease, or tenancy, in the same way as any other person renting a home would. Housing First tenants have access to support that will help build a relationship of trust between a tenant and their landlord. For example, some Housing First services have been known to organise meetings between tenants and landlords in order to discuss the tenancy agreement together and clarify any doubts regarding the contract.

Housing First tenants regularly speak or meet with the Housing First service and support worker assigned to them, particularly at the start of their tenancy. Meetings typically happen at least once a week – or more, depending on the tenant’s wishes – and include checking whether there are any problems with the apartment, rental payments, or other possible issues.

Much like tenants, landlords and housing providers are expected to follow the conditions of the lease just like for any other tenancy. This includes for example, carrying out standard home repairs, building upkeep, and maintaining a safe environment for renters.

The legal obligations are not usually different from those that apply to any kind of tenant (of course, this may vary from country to country). Contractual obligations for Housing First and non-Housing First tenancies are the same, for example, around leasing responsibilities, safety, maintenance and eviction. If this is your first experience as a landlord or you are unsure of the latest regulations, we suggest that you may wish to contact your local housing authority to ensure that you are fully informed of the most recent information for your jurisdiction.

Housing First services typically require one-bedroom flats near services and resources such as medical centres, public transportation, supermarkets, etc. Other than that, your property will be suitable for Housing First as long as it is livable and meets all the legal requirements applied to any kind of tenancy.

Depending on the Housing First service, landlords and housing providers may either rent to a charity or non-governmental organisation who will sign the lease and take full responsibility for the property and the tenant, or rent to the Housing First tenant directly.

Legally, no. In practice, the main difference is that the tenant is supported by a Housing First team, which helps the tenant settle in and build positive relationships with neighbours, as well as acting as a contact person for the landlord should any issues arise.

Housing First tenancies should develop just like any other tenancy, there is no need for you to apply ‘discounts’ or other types of rent reduction. You can set your rent as you would for any of your properties.  

The duration and drafting of the contract will be just like any other rental agreement. Housing First users may even keep their housing for longer than other renters, as they trace their pathway towards recovery and social integration.

Of course! The most important thing is not how many properties you have, but that you are open-minded and willing to become a Housing First landlord. By doing so, you’ll be helping to change someone’s life, for the better.

As a landlord providing housing through Housing First, you will most likely come into contact with the following people:

• The tenant;
• The support worker;
• NGOs or other intermediaries (for instance, in case they rent the property on the tenant’s behalf);
• The housing officer;
• The tenant’s Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) team, an interdisciplinary group of experts from the health and social work fields (psychiatrists, doctors, nurses, peer support workers) addressed to Housing First users with complex support needs (for instance, as a serious mental illness).

Most Housing First tenants are eligible for unemployment, housing, welfare, or other types of social benefits. These funds can be used to pay for rent in cases where the tenant rents the apartment directly from the landlord. On top of this, the support service provided to tenants may include budget counselling, ensuring they always have enough money to cover the rent.

In cases where an NGO or other type of organisation acts as intermediary, they are typically the ones who cover the cost of rent by acting as guarantor. This way, the NGO can make sure that landlords are always paid on time even if tenants are unable to meet their obligations regarding the tenancy agreement. Housing First teams also ensure that any issues (for instance neighbour disputes) are dealt with and resolved as soon as possible.

All in all, renting a home through Housing First may be the best and safest option for you as a landlord or housing provider, since you can access a series of guarantees which you wouldn’t otherwise have with other, non-Housing First tenants. Any tenancy is a risk, particularly when renters go through difficult life experiences (such as job loss) that make it challenging for them to keep paying rent. With Housing First, however, tenants are supported to maintain their tenancies.

In Housing First, tenancies are carefully selected in order to find a good fit for both tenant and landlord. Tenants are supported by the Housing First team (usually a social worker), which is responsible for helping tenants fulfil their responsibilities in any tenancy agreement or rental contract. This includes paying rent on time, but also respecting the boundaries of what is and isn’t allowed in their home.

Typically, the Housing First team will remain in close contact with the tenant in order to prevent any issues from happening. Should a crisis occur, however, on-call Housing First teams are available 24/7, ready to intervene and take control of the situation. In case tenants exhibit continual anti-social behaviour, for instance by being repeatedly disrespectful to their neighbours, the Housing First service will intervene and may move them to a new home if deemed necessary.

Guarantee agreements and schemes for landlords are common, and are implemented in various forms throughout several European countries. They may cover property damages and maintenance, as well as rent arrears in case the tenant fails to pay or leaves the apartment.

In Spain, for instance, the Rental Mediation Programme led by Asociación Provivienda, ensures regular rent payments through insurance guarantees, paid by an external insurance company or the organisation itself.

In Belgium, the concept of social rent intermediation refers to a practice which has now become widespread. Social rental agencies establish links between private landlords and tenants who are typically excluded from the rental market, acting as a third party. They guarantee rent security and maintenance costs, for instance by supporting homeowners in the renovation of their property. (For more information, please see: Social Rental Agencies: An Innovative Housing-led Response to Homelessness)

In France, AIVS’s (Agences Immobilières à Vocation Sociale) are social rental agencies that act as intermediaries between tenants and landlords, providing housing to vulnerable populations together with security guarantees for homeowners.

Finally, the Luxembourgish Red Cross provides highly advantageous rental contracts to landlords that participate in the Cellule Logement programme. On top of guaranteeing monthly rent payments, in fact, the Red Cross ensures up to €3,000 in advance payments for material damage that is not covered by the rental deposit.