Housing First It Really Works Sue Fortune & Karen Poffenroth

The Alex The first agency in Calgary’s 10 year plan to end homelessness to commit to providing Housing First Services The Alex Pathways to Housing opened in 2007 Currently the Alex operates – 1 Scattered-Site Assertive Community Treatment Program – 1 Scattered-Site Intensive Case Management Program – 1 Place-based Intensive Case Management Program

Who Are We Housing? A diverse population including: – Aboriginal Canadians – Immigrants and Refugees – Persons with decades-long history of homelessness 420 Unique Individuals living with: – Axis I and Axis II Mental Illness – Substance Use Disorders – Significant Physical Health Issues – Criminal/Forensic History – Cognitive Disorders

Housing First Principles Housing is a Basic Human Right: – Clients will be moved directly from homelessness into housing without pre-conditions or the burden to prove that they are “housing ready” Individualized Assertive Engagement: – Clients will be offered individualized support services based on assertive engagement rather than coercion. This is achieved through an attitude of respect and compassion Separation of Housing and Services: – Housing will not be dependent on a client’s participation in programming Prioritize the Most Vulnerable: – Vulnerable and comorbid persons who are poorly served by existing programs are prioritized to receive housing

Housing First Principles Harm Reduction: – Abstinence from substances is not required for housing or program participation Scatter Site Housing: – Clients are provided with independent units, assisting them to integrate into the community unless clients request place based housing Client Choice and Self-Determination: – Whenever possible clients are encouraged to make decisions and assume personal responsibility Recovery Orientation: – Program policies and staff attitudes reflect the belief that all clients have the potential to attain individualized psycho-social recovery

Make Housing First Actually Work Train your staff Stick to the Housing First Principles Recovery Orientation at every level Practice True Harm Reduction not Harm Acceptance Engage with your landlords

Role of Our Toolkit Provides guidelines and support for agencies and programs – Interested in ICM &/or HF – Planning to Implement ICM &/or HF – Increase ICM &/or HF adherence and outcomes in existing programs – Introduces the ICM Web-Enabled Workbook Program – Practical solutions for Clinical Interventions Program Planning Admin and Finances Funding Structure

Making Housing First Work Engagement + Adherence to Housing First Principles + Recovery Orientation =Outcomes

Thank You