Housing First needs to be expanded across the UK

The human cost is devastating, especially for those who find themselves living on our streets.

People who sleep rough often suffer from poor mental and physical health, can be vulnerable to substance misuse and in the UK, exposure to unforgiving weather and sub-zero temperatures.

Research published by Crisis in 2012 showed homeless people are much more likely to die young with the average age of death for a homeless person living on the streets or while resident in homeless accommodation just 47 years old.

“The human cost of rough sleeping is devastating.”

There is also of course a financial cost to tenancy breakdown, repeat homelessness, medical intervention and interactions with the criminal justice system.

The need to tackle homelessness makes sense on every level and so is one issue that unites our politicians.

While approaches to preventing and tackling homelessness differ, the UK government and devolved administrations have all acknowledged that it is a problem, that it is not acceptable and that it needs to be addressed.

With political support for change, this could be the perfect time to explore alternative approaches to eradicating rough sleeping.

Housing First does what it says on the tin. It does not require people to go through the traditional homeless route of hostels and temporary accommodation, it places people in permanent accommodation first, before addressing other underlying issues with the provision of intensive open-ended support.

“Most projects are aimed at people who are or have previously been rough sleeping and have health or substance misuse issues.”

It does not place conditions on people or require people to be ‘housing ready’ for a very simple reason – every person in need of a home is housing ready.

Most projects are aimed at people who are or have previously been rough sleeping and have health or substance misuse issues, people who are in very acute housing need.

There are now Housing First projects established in the UK in Ireland, and a new pilot is set to take place in the West Midlands, but on the whole its adoption has so far tended to be quite small scale.

But our latest guide shows that where Housing First has been adopted, there is strong evidence of positive outcomes for individuals benefiting from improved physical and mental health and reduced substance misuse.

CLICK HERE TO READ THE CIH GUIDE

While there are costs associated with the provision of intensive support, significant savings can be made in other areas, with reduced need for emergency medical interventions and fewer interactions with the criminal justice system.

A recent study commissioned to explore ways to eradicate ‘core homelessness’ in Scotland’s four largest cities suggested that scaling up Housing First would eventually lead to overall net savings to the public purse.

“Where Housing First has been adopted, there is strong evidence of positive outcomes.”

So, taking all of the benefits into account, why are we not doing more Housing First? Yes, there are challenges in identifying appropriate affordable accommodation. Yes, there is a housing shortage across the board and housing authorities are facing difficult decisions in balancing the needs of everyone.

And yes, there are contracts in place for existing temporary accommodation and support provision that would have to be addressed and often complex relationships and funding arrangements between housing providers, health, social care and criminal justice departments. But where it has been adopted, Housing First has demonstrated great results.

It may not be the only solution to homelessness and rough sleeping but it is definitely worth some serious consideration.

Ashley Campbell, policy and practice manager, Chartered Institute of Housing Scotland