Homeless Link report uses P3’s example of ‘Housing First’
A new report into uses of the Housing First model to tackle homelessness in England has used P3’s ACTion Lincs project as a successful case study.
The report, published by campaign and membership charity Homeless Link, analyses how Housing First projects in this country have enabled people to move away from homelessness based on the core principles that everyone ‘has a right to a home’, and that ‘flexible support is provided for as long as it is needed.’
“Services demonstrated an urgent problem of entrenched rough sleeping and people revolving around the hostel system in their local area.”
- ‘Understanding the Implementation of Housing First in England’, Homeless Link 2018
The model places people with long-term experience of homelessness and complex needs into housing first and foremost, without the conditions of a typical housing pathway. A wrap-around package of support is provided, linking the person to the specialist services they need to work towards recovery and independence, such as drug/alcohol support and healthcare.
ACTion Lincs: Making partnership work
“We needed P3’s expertise in terms of homelessness, dealing with that client group, but also around social investment ... if we hadn’t had worked with them from the start and it hadn't been a partnership, we wouldn’t be where we are now. I’m absolutely certain of that.”
– Local authority, Lincolnshire
One of P3’s Housing First projects, ACTion Lincs, features in the study and uses the multi-disciplinary Assertive Community Treatment model, with specialists from partner agencies such as Addaction embedded within the team, including a mental health nurse, substance misuse worker and operational support officer from the local police force.
In this way, different services have been able to work together efficiently to provide the best care for clients.
“This service is unique because it is one of the few Housing First services in England aiming to bring services to the individual rather than expecting the individual to go to the services.”
- ACTion Lincs Case Study, Homeless Link 2018
