32 Simon Communities of Ireland Taking these issues together has ramifications for the resourcing of Housing-led approaches. From a policy perspective, there needs to be a reappraisal of the up-front investment required in order to generate the flow of accommodation that, with adequate supports, would enable people who have experienced homelessness to take up sustainable housing options. A key risk noted by respondents was for the realistic prospect of a successful adoption of a housing- led approach given the wider resource context. There is a danger that adopting this approach at a time of cutbacks risks a questioning of the efficacy of housing-led models, when the issue rests with the resources that underpins addressing homelessness at this time in Ireland. The balance of current evidence suggests that housing-led approaches are effective as long as the core elements of harm reduction, the separation of housing and support and the provision of intensive, open-ended support services are all in place (Pleace and Bretherton, 2013c). A challenge for the Simon Communities is building upon the current ethos within the Communities to continue the transition to housing-led approaches within an overall service mix that meets the diverse needs of service users.
Which Way Home?
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