Housing First is one of the most talked-about — and most evidence-based — approaches to ending rough sleeping and long-term homelessness. Rather than requiring people to address addiction, mental health, or other issues before they can access housing, Housing First provides a stable home first and then wraps support around the individual. At Seaside CIC, we incorporate Housing First principles into our approach to homelessness in Brighton.
What is Housing First?
Housing First is an approach that provides permanent, independent housing to people experiencing chronic homelessness — without preconditions. There is no requirement to be sober, to engage with treatment, or to demonstrate housing readiness. The belief is that stable housing is a basic human right and a prerequisite for addressing other issues, not a reward to be earned.
How Does Housing First Work?
Under Housing First, people are provided with their own tenancy in ordinary housing — not a hostel or communal shelter. Intensive, flexible support is then provided to help them maintain their tenancy and address their other needs. Crucially, this support is not conditional — people do not lose their housing if they relapse or disengage from support.
Does Housing First Work?
The evidence for Housing First is very strong. Studies consistently show that around 80% of people placed in Housing First programmes maintain their housing after two years — compared to much lower rates in traditional “staircase” models. Housing First is particularly effective for people with the most complex needs, including those with long histories of rough sleeping and dual diagnosis.
Housing First in Brighton
Brighton and Hove has piloted Housing First programmes with promising results. At Seaside CIC, we believe in the Housing First philosophy and strive to apply its principles in our work — prioritising housing stability and building trust-based relationships with the people we support.
