How ‘housing first’ is helping people leave rough sleeping behind

A housing approach that prioritizes providing individuals with permanent accommodation before addressing other challenges in their lives has demonstrated remarkable success. This model’s key principles are now being integrated into England’s updated strategy to combat rough sleeping.

In 2022, Michael found himself homeless in Plymouth and struggled to access adequate support. Acting on impulse, he traveled to London, where he spent his first week sleeping on the streets without even a sleeping bag. It was only after he overheard conversations about The Connection at St Martin-in-the-Fields, a homelessness charity near the National Gallery, that he sought their help. Michael’s situation involved moving between the streets and temporary lodgings until he secured a spot through the UK government’s Rough Sleeping Accommodation Programme. However, since this accommodation was temporary, uncertainty crept back as his tenancy neared its end.

Michael later discovered Solo Homes, a project run by The Connection that applies the Housing First approach. With the assistance of a support worker named Gen, he quickly moved into a flat and signed a tenancy agreement. His rent is covered by benefits, while the charity pays for his care needs, including mental health services. Gen also helped him adjust to the new environment and ensured he received ongoing mental health support. For the first time in years, Michael felt stable, gradually making his flat feel like home by even constructing some of his own furniture. Reflecting on this change, he states, “Since then it’s just been amazing,” noting that he has not returned to the streets since.

This individual story is part of a broader shift in England’s official approach to rough sleeping. In August, the government revealed a £442 million rough sleeping programme aimed at both immediate relief and long-term support. The initiative plans to deliver over 1,000 settled homes across three years, accompanied by intensive support services. While housing solutions are more expansive than Housing First alone, government guidelines emphasize that long-term accommodation will be grounded in Housing First principles. This approach fundamentally challenges traditional homelessness strategies by offering people permanent housing as a first step, rather than requiring them to resolve personal issues like addiction or mental health struggles before securing stable accommodation.

The essence of Housing First is that individuals receive their own home upfront, with a dedicated support worker helping them to access necessary services. Importantly, retention of housing is not contingent upon compliance with treatment programs or meeting specific criteria. Support may include mental health care, substance abuse treatment, benefits advice, and assistance reconnecting with family or community networks. This philosophy rests on the understanding that recovery becomes more attainable when people no longer face the immediate stress of homelessness.

Mental health practitioner Costanza Barbieri, who has worked with people sleeping rough in London, highlights a significant change in attitudes towards wellbeing in connection with housing. She explains, “When stable housing is prioritised, we see reduced pressures on emergency services, A&E departments and the criminal justice system.” Barbieri notes that historically, the role of a person’s living environment in their mental health was undervalued, often ignoring the difficulties of living without a secure home or in cramped, unstable accommodations.

Evidence collected over several years supports the effectiveness of Housing First, particularly for individuals experiencing prolonged rough sleeping complicated by mental health issues, addiction, trauma, or interactions with the criminal justice system. Since 2018, the government has funded major Housing First pilot programs across Greater Manchester, Liverpool, and the West Midlands, assisting over 1,000 people. Among those monitored, 84% were in stable housing six months after joining the program, increasing to 92% at the one-year mark. Before participating, 86% had been living in unstable or precarious conditions

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