International reaction as Housing First in Scotland passes milestone
Scotland’s Housing First Pathfinder creates more than 150 tenancies.
A monitoring report released today (Tuesday 19 November) shows that Scotland’s Housing First Pathfinder has created more than 150 tenancies. Each represents an opportunity for someone to end their homelessness and receive support and encouragement to build and live their lives.
Housing First provides ordinary, settled housing as a first response for people whose homelessness is compounded by other disadvantages and experiences. The Housing First Scotland Pathfinder is a three-year programme launched in April 2019 with the target of creating 830 tenancies. It is the largest of its kind in the UK and the latest 150-tenancy milestone has been praised by US psychologist, Dr Sam Tsemberis, who pioneered the approach in New York during the early 1990s.
Dr Sam Tsemberis, CEO of Pathways to Housing, said: “What’s happening in Scotland should inspire everyone involved in Housing First projects across Europe. More than 150 people have received a home of their own and that speaks to the commitment of the Housing First Scotland initiative, now well on their way to establish Housing First as the best response for the most vulnerable.
“When I visited in May, to participate in the Housing First conference in Edinburgh, I was very impressed by the determination of those I met to make sure this programme succeeds – go Scotland!”
The Pathfinder launched officially on 1 April 2019, supported by housing providers across the country, with Wheatley Group leading, and with funding from the Scottish Government, Social Bite and Merchants House Glasgow.
A source of inspiration for many, Finland is the only European country where homelessness is falling. Juha Kaakinen has been heavily involved in Finland’s national Housing First programme and said: “The Housing First model in Finland is based on understanding homelessness extensively and in detail. We learned that it should not only apply to sleeping rough but also sofa-surfing and hidden forms of homelessness. Nor can it be stopped by housing departments or charities alone – all parts of the system must be on board. Scotland has also recognised this, which is one reason why you are so far ahead so quickly.
“Stay focused on the goal, and I know your programme will continue to report increasing participation and better outcomes for people with the most difficult experiences.”
Samara Jones co-ordinates the Housing First Europe Hub. She said: “What’s happening in Scotland is a beacon of good practice that other European nations are watching with interest.
“The cross-party political support, stable funding and commitment from all those involved is a benchmark in collaborative working and partnership.
“Across Europe, there are Housing First and rapid rehousing programmes placing people in their own home and ending their homelessness.
“There is still so much to learn, mistakes to make and solutions to find, but Housing First is the right response, in particular, for people with the most complex experience of homelessness.”
Kevin Stewart, Minister for Local Government, Housing and Planning, said:
“Compelling international evidence on the effectiveness of Housing First informed the Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Action Group recommendation. Now, almost nine months into the Pathfinder programme, it is very welcome to note the encouragement from Housing First leaders and pace setters in other parts of the world.
“The government has made ending homelessness a priority and is determined that Housing First will be available for those with the hardest life experiences, within a broader rapid rehousing framework.”
The unknown element at the start of the programme was how quickly people could be housed as the partners work collectively to shift the system from one way of doing things to another. Based on experience and learning, over the past six months, forecasting for 2020 will better reflect what has been learned about pace, with greater emphasis placed on outcomes and the emphasis on incremental targets will be relaxed.
Pictured: Dr Sam Tsemberis at the Housing First conference.