Chartered Institute of Housing (CIH) explores the concept of Housing First and the principles behind it and looks at how it is being put into practice across the UK and Ireland as a one of a range of approaches to tackling homelessness.
Housing First offers permanent accommodation to people in chronic need without requiring them to go through the formal homelessness system of waiting lists, hostels and temporary accommodation. Housing First tends to be directed at people who are sleeping rough or have experienced repeat homelessness and have mental health and addiction problems.
Under Housing First, there is no requirement for the homeless person to be ‘housing ready’ or to have addressed their addiction problems before moving into a permanent home. Health and addiction issues are addressed after housing has been secured, and intensive, open-ended support is provided to help the person to maintain their tenancy.