The four partner organisations aimed to undertake significant research to identify whether adaptations to the Housing First model across Europe have achieved improved outcomes for people experiencing chronic and hard-to-reach homelessness. The project sought to inform and influence local, national and European responses to homelessness through evidence-based research and transferable policy recommendations applicable across different European contexts. A further objective was to develop a shared body of knowledge on emerging best practice to strengthen organisational capacity and address staff training needs. Providing up-to-date, relevant education and training for professionals working in the homelessness sector was considered essential to supporting individuals to exit and avoid returning to homelessness. Specifically, the project aimed to: 1 . To research how Housing First has been adapted in Europe. 2 . To research staff training needs. 3 . To deliver training through seminars, workshops and webinars. 4 . To publish evidence based research findings, a policy brief and training guidelines.
In 2021, the Lisbon Declaration was signed by all EU countries, which sets a target of ending homelessness across the EU by 2030. Housing First is considered a “state of the art” programme in addressing homelessness. While fidelity to Housing First has been proven to be highly successful in providing long term housing stability, there is still a percentage of people supported in Housing First that return to homelessness. Furthermore, fidelity to the original model of Housing First is contextual to and tied to the United States. Applying for this project was seen as an opportunity to address arising questions as to whether some elements of Housing First policy and practice were applicable in different European contexts, given the lack of adequate housing supply, social housing models and a variety of local barriers. This project was also viewed as an innovative way to develop a body of knowledge around models of best practice and also offered the opportunity to develop concrete training resources in relation to Adapted Housing First Policy and Practice that would be applicable across European contexts.