The Housing First National Office has welcomed visitors to Athlone for a conference exploring the impact of the programme.

According to The Housing Agency, the tenancy sustainment rate for Housing First tenants sits at 86%.

Housing First aims to eliminate homelessness for people with a history of rough sleeping and long-term use of emergency homeless accommodation. Tenants of Housing First will have complex needs around mental health, substance use, physical health, and other social and behavioural challenges. It provides direct access to permanent housing, together with intensive tenancy and health supports delivered in a wrap around team mainly in the person's home.

The conference today, 17 April, will raise key themes aimed at supporting front line staff in Local Authority, HSE and homeless organisations since the introduction of Housing First Nationally in 2018.


Commenting ahead of the conference, Rob Lowth, National Director of the Housing First National Office, said: "Housing First is a person-centred approach to helping people who are experiencing long-term homelessness and who may require additional supports. By providing people with a stable and secure home first, we can then work with them to help them to overcome other issues they may face. The fact that almost ninety per cent of the tenants we have supported so far have been able to sustain their tenancy proves that the Housing First programme is effective and gives the individuals an opportunity to be housed in some cases for the very first time.

"The Housing First National Office looks forward to continuing supporting both the Statutory and NGO sectors to support Housing First tenant and reduce long-term homelessness."

The theme of the Housing First conference taking place in Athlone today and tomorrow is 'Where would Ireland be without Housing First'. Speakers include:

• Dr. Sam Tsemberis, who founded the Housing First programme in New York in 1992.

• Dr, Ronni Greenwood, University of Limerick, who conducted the national evaluation of Housing First.

• Mr. Joe Doyle, HSE National Social Inclusion Office, whose work focuses on ensuring the required health supports are in place to support Housing First tenants.