Housing First

, Also called Housing First "rapid re - housing" is a relatively new approach from the U.S. social policy in dealing with homelessness and an alternative to the conventional system of emergency shelters and transitional housing. For several years, the approach also in Germany, Great Britain, Denmark, Finland, France, Portugal and Austria is implemented.

Unlike other programs, the homeless need in this approach not through different levels of accommodation forms for independent and permanent housing " qualify ", but can draw directly into an "own" apartment. The most existing multi-stage model in which a move between different types of lodging is provided ( for example, from homeless to night quarters for transitional housing and then only in one's own home ), although means that at the end of one's own home is here as well. However, it is usually provided that with the move to own apartment also ends the support. This is at different Housing First: The support is offered as needed continuously in their own home. In addition, no abstinence from alcohol or other substances will be required as a prerequisite. Support and programs can be taken advantage of, but are not mandatory. The approach is based on that a homeless person or family as the first and most important a stable accommodation needs and other matters should be addressed afterwards. However, most other programs work with a model of " liveability ", which means that other problems that led to homelessness, first need to be addressed.

Results

After initial studies, reduced the number of people living on the street, in areas with such a program by 30 percent, so that even the number of Notunterbringungen could be reduced. According to one study, 77 percent were those who began the program, even two years later in it. Similar studies in Europe came to the conclusion " that residential stability after 24 months is higher even in persons with dual diagnoses and care without obligation and rare homelessness occurs than in control groups with an abstinence requirement ." Here, not only is the health of program participants, and the consumption of alcohol and the crime rate improves fall, while the readiness for therapy services is rising. For the communities, this also means a significant cost reduction through reduction of detentions, but mainly by the decreasing use of emergency services and other medical services. "Even if you include the cost of the accommodation, the total cost halved. "