Housing First

Submitted by jsuart on Tue, 2011-09-27 16:11

 

A 2009 study called A Place First by the United Way serving Kingston, Frontenac, Lennox & Addington called for a radical change in the way Kingston treats the issue of homelessness. The report recommended a new strategy that has been implemented successfully in Canadian and US cities – Housing First. This approach calls for:

  • Direct, or nearly direct, placement of targeted homeless people into permanent housing. Even though the initial housing placement may be transitional in nature, the program commits to ensuring that the client is housed permanently.
  • While supportive services may be offered and made readily available, the program does not require participation in these services to remain in the housing.
  • The use of assertive outreach to engage and offer housing to homeless people with mental illness who are reluctant to enter shelters or engage in services. Once in housing, a low demand approach accommodates client alcohol and substance use, so that “relapse” will not result in the client losing housing.
  • The continued effort to provide case management and to hold housing for clients, even if they leave their program for short periods is also part of the mandate.

The report says the Housing First model costs less over the long run by providing a long-term solution, rather than a “band-aid” approach to the issue of homelessness. A Place First made three recommendations. The first was to ensure continued support for beds and meal programs for those who are homeless as well as those who are at risk of losing their homes. The second recommendation called for a local Housing First approach to be developed that recognizes housing as a first priority with the required supports to help maintain tenancy. The final recommendation called for place-based services and eviction prevention support to help people stay in their homes.