Overview of the Housing First Guide Europe
The Housing First Guide Europe is a research report produced by the European Federation of National Organisations working with the Homeless (FEANTSA) and authored by Nicholas Pleace, a senior researcher at the University of York. Published in 2016, the guide synthesises evidence on eight core principles of the Housing First model, its cost‑effectiveness, and case studies from twelve European nations. The document was uploaded to the White Rose Research Online repository and is publicly accessible.
Core Principles Explained
Housing First is built on eight internationally recognised principles: housing as a human right; harm‑reduction; choice and control for service users; active engagement without coercion; separation of housing and treatment; person‑centred planning; recovery orientation; and flexible support for as long as required. These principles were defined in consultation with the model’s originator, Dr Sam Tsemberis, and an advisory board of European experts.
Cost‑Effectiveness and Savings
The guide reports that Housing First programmes are generally cheaper than traditional “staircase” services. For example, a 2013 UK case showed a cost of approximately £9,600 per person per year (excluding rent), compared with £1,000–£8,000 higher costs for shelter‑based or high‑intensity staircase options. European evaluations indicate that eight out of ten high‑need homeless individuals retain housing after one year, delivering substantial savings in health, emergency, and criminal‑justice expenditures.
Evidence of Success Across Europe
Key outcomes from the guide include: 97 % housing retention after 12 months in Amsterdam’s Discus service; 94 % in Copenhagen; 92 % in Glasgow; and 79 % in Lisbon’s Casas Primeiro. French, Spanish, and Finnish pilot projects report similar retention rates (80‑90 %). Overall, the guide cites a European average of at least 80 % sustained housing for high‑need users, matching or exceeding North‑American results.
Countries Implementing Housing First
The guide lists active programmes in Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Ireland, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, and the United Kingdom. Specific examples include Vienna’s successful pilot, Denmark’s large‑scale service housing over 1,000 people, and Finland’s national strategy integrating Housing First into its homelessness policy.
Delivery of Housing and Support
Housing First services use three main delivery mechanisms: private rented sector, social rented sector, and direct provision of housing. Key practices involve thorough inspection of private units, guaranteed tenancy security, affordability checks, and landlord engagement. Support is provided through intensive case management or multidisciplinary teams, offering mental‑health, substance‑use, medical, and social integration services. Flexible, person‑centred support continues for as long as needed, even after tenancy changes.
Social Integration and Well‑Being
Beyond housing stability, the guide highlights improvements in health and quality of life. In Amsterdam, 70 % of users reduced drug use and 89 % reported better quality of life after one year. French participants showed a drop in average hospital nights from 18.3 to 8.8 over six months. Social integration outcomes include increased neighbour relations, community participation, and reduced nuisance behaviour.
Evaluation and Fidelity
Evaluations stress the importance of fidelity to the eight core principles. High‑fidelity programmes consistently achieve better outcomes, while low‑fidelity services may see reduced effectiveness. Evaluation methods range from randomised controlled trials (e.g., French and Canadian studies) to observational studies, all emphasizing systematic outcome measurement.
Future Directions for Sustainable Housing
The guide concludes that Housing First offers a sustainable, cost‑effective solution to chronic homelessness across diverse European welfare contexts. It recommends scaling up high‑fidelity programmes, integrating Housing First into broader homelessness strategies, and continuing rigorous evaluation to maintain effectiveness and inform policy.