Housing First: Challenges and Future Directions
In our article titled "Housing First: Challenges and Future Directions," we address the promising yet challenging landscape of the 'Housing First' approach in combating homelessness and mental illness within Australia[i]. Our investigation highlighted the significant potential of this methodology alongside the substantial barriers impeding its full implementation across the nation[ii].
We observed a notable absence of a cohesive national 'Housing First' policy[iii], with the responsibility of addressing homelessness dispersed among state and territory governments. This fragmented approach, along with the lack of substantial social housing policies and investments, emerged as a principal obstacle, creating a policy gap that significantly hindered the realization of 'Housing First' in Australia[iv],[v].
Within our article we stress the necessity of national coordination and a robust framework to secure safe, stable housing and ensure effective service coordination for those in recovery[vi]. Despite steps towards integration, such as South Australia's housing alliances aimed at establishing multidisciplinary service networks, we found that efforts often fell short of providing a comprehensive support system through a unified service entry point[vii],[viii]. This fragmentation presented considerable challenges in delivering the integrated services essential for addressing the complex needs of individuals experiencing homelessness.
A critical barrier we identified was the sustainability of funding[ix]. The inconsistency in long-term funding commitments, coupled with a reliance on philanthropic or project-based funding, undermined the stability of 'Housing First' initiatives[x]. We concluded that for 'Housing First' to offer a lasting solution in Australia, there must be a consistent alignment of policies, practices, and investments with the principles of this approach[xi],[xii]. Moreover, drawing from international successes, we highlighted the transformative policies and service reforms in Europe and Canada, where political consensus and secure funding have enabled 'Housing First' to emerge as a successful national policy[xiii],[xiv]. These examples demonstrated the effectiveness of integrating housing options, revising health and social services, and engaging individuals with lived experience in shaping policy and practice[xv].
Through this piece we emphasized that overcoming the existing barriers and committing to comprehensive policy and service reforms are crucial for the future success of 'Housing First' in Australia. By learning from global models and fostering stakeholder collaboration, we posited that Australia could advance towards realizing the full potential of 'Housing First' as a viable solution to homelessness[xvi],[xvii].
Samantha Lai (first author)
Nicholas Marzohl
Dr Tracey Dodd
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Citations
[i] Conroy, E., Bower, M., Flatau, F., Zaretzky, K., Eardley, T., & Burns, L. (2014). From Homelessness to Sustained Housing 2010-2013 Research Report. Mission Australia, NSW. https://www.missionaustralia.com.au/what-we-do/research-impact-policy-advocacy/misha.
[ii] Conroy, E., Bower, M., Flatau, F., Zaretzky, K., Eardley, T., & Burns, L. (2014). op cit.
[iii] Department of Social Services (2022). National Housing and Homelessness Agreement, viewed 4 September 2023, https://www.dss.gov.au/housing-support-programs-services-homelessness/national-housing-and-homelessness-agreement
[iv] Clarke, A., Watts, B., & Parsell, C. (2019a). Conditionality in the context of housing-led homelessness policy: Comparing Australia’s ‘Housing First’ agenda to Scotland’s “rights-based” approach. Australian Journal of Social Issues, 55(1), 88–100.
[v] Lawson, J., Denham, T., Dodson, J., Flanagan, K., Jacobs, K., Martin, C., van den Nouwelant, R., Pawson, H., & Troy, L. (2019). Social housing as infrastructure: rationale, prioritisation and investment pathway. AHURI Final Report No. 315, Australian Housing and Urban Research Institute Limited, VIC. https://www.ahuri.edu.au/research/final-reports/315.
[vi] Y-Foundation. (2018). A Home of Your Own. ‘Housing First’ and ending homelessness in Finland. Otava Book Printing Limited. Keuruu, Finland
[vii] Brackertz, N. (2021). Trajectories: The interplay between mental health and housing pathways. Policy priorities for better access to housing and mental health support for people with lived experience of mental ill health and housing insecurity. Australian Housing and Urban Research Institute Limited for Mental Health Australia and Mind Australia. VIC. https://www.ahuri.edu.au/research/trajectories.
[viii] SA Housing Authority (SAHA). (2023). SA Homelessness Alliances, viewed 29 August 2023, https://www.housing.sa.gov.au/homelessness/future-directions-for-homelessness/sa-homelessness-alliances.
[ix] Martin, C., Lawson, J., Milligan, V., Hartley, C., Pawson, H., & Dodson, J. (2023). Towards an Australian Housing and Homelessness Strategy: Understanding national approaches in contemporary policy. AHURI Final Report No. 401, Australian Housing and Urban Research Institute Limited, VIC. https://www.ahuri.edu.au/research/final-reports/401.
[x] Y-Foundation. (2018). op cit.
[xi] Clarke, A., Parsell, C., & Vorsina, M. (2019b). The role of housing policy in perpetuating conditional forms of homelessness support in the era of housing first: Evidence from Australia. Housing Studies, 35(5), 954–975.
[xii] Conroy, E., Bower, M., Flatau, F., Zaretzky, K., Eardley, T., & Burns, L. (2014). op cit.
[xiii] Kaakinen, J., & Turunen, S. (2021). Finnish but not yet Finished – Successes and Challenges of ‘Housing First’ in Finland. European Journal of Homelessness, 15(4), 81–84.
[xiv] Martin, C., Lawson, J., Milligan, V., Hartley, C., Pawson, H., & Dodson, J. (2023). Towards an Australian Housing and Homelessness Strategy: Understanding national approaches in contemporary policy. AHURI Final Report No. 401, Australian Housing and Urban Research Institute Limited, VIC. https://www.ahuri.edu.au/research/final-reports/401.
[xv] Y-Foundation. (2018). op cit.
[xvi] Y-Foundation. (2018). op cit.
[xvii] Martin, C., Lawson, J., Milligan, V., Hartley, C., Pawson, H., & Dodson, J. (2023). op cit.
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