Description
This paper draws on a series of five research projects evaluating programmes and projects working within the Housing First model, across the UK, over the period 2010 to 2023. Drawing on the results of over 150 semi-structured interviews, using a common methodology, the paper focuses on the experiences, perceptions and opinions of people who were using Housing First to find a lasting exit from homelessness. The paper draws on this qualitative data to highlight a number of issues with the current debates and assumptions about Housing First in the UK and beyond. Talking with people with lived experience highlighted a generally very high degree of positivity about the support offered by Housing First services. These findings were in contrast to some statistical monitoring of Housing First outcomes, which has highlighted some variable performance from Housing First in delivering improvements in social inclusion, addiction and mental and physical health, while still recording high rates of housing sustainment. However, the interviews also raised important questions about the quality of the lives experienced by people who had found housing stability through Housing First once they had exited homelessness. These questions arose in the context of deep and sustained governmental retrenchment from welfare spending, public health and social housing in the UK and centred on the ultimate viability of Housing First within the public service deserts that have been created across the UK since 2010. The paper also considers the wider implications of the findings in relation to the practicality and viability of Housing First across the highly variegated social protection and housing systems that exist at pan-EU level, also discussing possible implications for the European Platform to Combat Homelessness.Period | 13 Sept 2024 |
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Event title | FEANTSA 18th European Homelessness Research Conference |
Event type | Conference |
Location | Budapest, HungaryShow on map |
Degree of Recognition | International |
Keywords
- Homelessness
- Housing First
Documents & Links
Related content
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Publications
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Housing First in England: An Evaluation of Nine Services
Research output: Book/Report › Commissioned report
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Reducing, Changing or Ending Housing First Support
Research output: Book/Report › Commissioned report
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Using Housing First in Integrated Homelessness Strategies: A Review of the Evidence
Research output: Book/Report › Commissioned report
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Evaluation of homelessness interventions: final report
Research output: Book/Report › Commissioned report
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The Inspiring Change Manchester Housing First Pilot: Final Evaluation Report
Research output: Book/Report › Commissioned report
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Complex Needs and Housing First
Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Chapter
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Housing First Guide Europe
Research output: Book/Report › Commissioned report
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Camden Housing First: a Housing First experiment in London
Research output: Book/Report › Other report
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The Henry Smith Charity Housing First Strategic Grant: Research into the Effectiveness of Seven Housing First Services
Research output: Book/Report › Commissioned report