Housing First
Until 1990, homeless people could access housing through the traditional "staircase" system, a method in which the main objectives are basic care, adaptation to regulations and treatment to eradicate addictions.
With the advent of Housing First, they are provided with affordable and permanent housing, offering them intensive health and social support. It is an alternative to the traditional "treatment-first" model of intervention with people experiencing homelessness.
That is precisely the starting point: to provide, as soon as possible, individual, stable and independent housing to people who access the program, recognizing housing as a fundamental right.
attention to the problem of homelessness, with a growing presence in Europe.
In some European countries, the Housing First model is part of the national strategy to combat homelessness. Denmark, Finland, Ireland and Italy are examples of this. Also Spain, in its 'Comprehensive National Strategy for people experiencing homelessness 2015-2020', introduced as a strategic line the progressive implementation of the method.
In 2014 HOGAR SÍ launched, for the first time in Spain, a pilot program called Habitat, which follows the guidelines of the Housing First model. The model is aimed at those people in a situation of homelessness who, due to the complexity of their exclusion process, are usually left out of the traditional care systems.
The Habitat program places and emphasizes the importance of the person's choice as a central element of intervention.
In 2017, HOGAR SÍ and Provivienda generated an Alliance to develop the Housing First model in Spain. A report was even created with the methodology of the Housing First Europe project evaluation, trying to overcome some of the limitations pointed out in its own comparison conclusions.
Methodology used in the report 'Solutions to Homelessness'.
Analysis of results on individuals
For the report, three moments of measurement have been considered: initial evaluation and follow-up at 12 and 18 months. In addition, two participant groups are defined:
- Experimental group (EG), those people who are users of the Habitat program;
- Comparison group (CG), those who have not obtained a place in the program.
Cost analysis
- Cost identification: we generate primary data in the absence of secondary information.
- Comparison of costs of the experimental and control groups: application of the unit costs obtained to the consumption of services of each user.
- Cost-effectiveness analysis: once the results of the people and the costs of each program are known, the two dimensions are compared.
"My children come here as normal children, to visit me, to eat..."
Housing First helps people to have a better perception of the support of their social environment and favors the recovery of family relationships. Almost 90% of those who have accessed Housing First housing report feeling not at all or very lonely, while 40% of those who remain homeless report feeling very or very lonely.
"My children come here as normal children, to visit me, to eat..."
"With this house I have gained in self-esteem and security. I see life differently."
Within six months of moving into housing, there is already a significant improvement in their life satisfaction, and they are happier and more satisfied with their privacy.
"With this house I have gained in self-esteem and security. I see life differently."
"I'm treated with a lot of respect now, as the person that I am."
Housing First has a positive effect on the experiences of victimization and discrimination, which are significantly reduced in people accessing housing. In addition, Housing First provides an increased sense of security. A dynamic that does not occur among those who have continued to live on the street in other types of resources.
"I'm treated with a lot of respect now, as the person that I am."
"To recover, to be calm, to rest..."
The home and the professionalized accompaniment allow for the necessary recovery and autonomy.
"To recover, to be calm, to rest..."
"This opportunity is not every day."
From home, she wants to get training and employment to get her life back on track.
"This opportunity is not every day."
"It's been a long time since I've had my house keys in my pocket."
Housing gives people like Adonis, who require constant medical care, the opportunity to lay the groundwork for autonomy.
"It's been a long time since I've had my house keys in my pocket."
"I believe in myself, I know I'm going to make it."
Thanks to Housing Rights, she has been able to access safe housing and other support that has allowed her to build a future for herself.
"I believe in myself, I know I'm going to make it."
"I'm too calm to look for a job now."
For migrants, it is vitally important that they have a safe environment where they are not discriminated against when accessing housing.
"I'm too calm to look for a job now."
"You have your own autonomy, but little by little they are helping you..."
Early attention to homelessness facilitates access to safe and stable housing and offers support that promotes autonomy.
