In 2017, according to the UK government, 32% of the death among homeless people in the United Kingdom were caused by drug usage. Addiction to drugs is one of the factors making finding a way out of the streets extremely complicated for homeless people. Other factors like suffering from chronicle illnesses or social marginalization (people getting out of prison for instance) can also render the process of finding a job or a tenancy even more difficult for homeless people. One could therefore wonder about the possible help or solutions that can be implemented to tackle this problem. An approach called Housing First can be an inspiring solution.
Housing First was an initiative created in New York by Pathways to Housing in 1992. It has then expanded and is now present in a number of different countries including Canada, Denmark, and France, where it has proven its efficiency. Housing First’s action consists, as its name implies, in providing an accommodation to homeless people in an unconditional manner. This means that homeless people suffering from mental illnesses, drug addiction or social marginalization can get a tenancy as well as support if they wish to.
The organization rests on several key principles. The Housing First organization believes that housing should be a human right, this is why they do not impose any readiness to housing conditions to their tenants. The basic idea behind this project is that as long as a person is on the streets, he or she cannot get better without a stable environment, i.e., a roof over their head. The homeless person can refuse an offer of accommodation if it does not suit them, and when they find the right residence, they get a tenancy as a way for them to feel more empowered and secure (their accommodation cannot be taken away from them). Tenants are also offered support be it medical or social (which they are free to decline). For instance, Housing First agents can help their clients to fill administrative documents, since tenants are sometimes illiterate. Housing First agents are only responsible for a small caseload of five to seven people, and they are proactive in their relationship with them, thus allowing more flexible support and higher attention given to each person.
There are however some cons to keep in mind with the Housing First approach. The main downfall of the program, as Housing First England recognizes itself, is that because of its high costs and close support, the approach is not suitable for every homeless person. That being said, Housing First is a program that has successfully helped its clients and is still one of the best options for homeless individuals with complex needs.