Finding the Way Home “ Krigattghong.e hmeytoeocoe aiftn’,rt,thoepeeldence u a bhovice andncaeraultuppcsuipptorrepralanuisongt-lfeidnaepenaches,,ecnedootrdpepednehonginitcoomhootb,ethocdsetrhoishuowisosrtcnodiviorspaewctiitreuScsioelypsoeevpnesmmedsnieekalcnklapoluopeleliboaSwbgntiiontpheeegm know, but if you can, if you can look after maximise independence against the need of an individual for yourself, better to be independent you know. Not care and support. This approach is reflected in the operational reality of housing-led services in the US and have people tell you what to do. elsewhere, which use person-centred approaches but which Male, long term homeless, aged 52. do still monitor and regulate the people receiving services77. For service providers, promoting independence, choice and control for people who were homeless was a complicated area. Harm reduction This was because alongside seeking to maximise and facilitate Most people who were homeless and the service providers independence, there was also a parallel concern with how well who were interviewed and consulted for the research thought individuals with high support needs would cope on their own. the harm reduction approach was more likely to be effective Striking a balance between the need to ensure the maximum than insisting on abstinence from drugs and alcohol. Again, a degree of independence while ensuring individual well-being harm reduction approach with a recovery orientation is integral was not being jeopardised by insufficient support or care, is a to the housing-led philosophy and is effectively ‘standard dilemma faced by all services working with vulnerable groups practice’ across most homeless services in some comparable that want to maximise independence. countries such as the UK78. element of their approach was to try to maximise “ If you’re going to force people into a situationeroca,seitinummoCnomiSehtekilsredivorpecivresroF independence by trying to ensure that service users had an where the only way they are going to get a place individual and collective voice. This client-centred approach to live is if they stop drinking, if you force people was also central to the way in which other service providers into that, you’re setting them up to fail, you’re tried to address the questions around independence, choice setting that system up to fail. and control. Male, long term rough sleeper, aged 52. “ seevicnsusee sganiiiciataoins’csnurcoranobbeliteve.ofe “ aoebwou, nelstheimi‘fsooph,eoeletihetnttaoat’sduscoabno-edetttisdjahaynllhitcoudserlnmrwa’moustyhetswuatcleebtoyhayednhTtbnsfaicchecjihdwe,dseetlaaeivrneostiupesctvrraerporreahteeicivnrreeSS the organisation, where meaningful ways of no, the shutters are going to fall down...the way consulting our service users are always has to be harm reduction and support. encouraged and explored. Male, former long term rough sleeper, 40s. Service Provider. “ exgrelrgertctiheuindpoetessneof taaldindividualse the “ beriouggivenfeiceiult,imatustrlmfhilcduI,’vusn,eten niaynevdgaehnotboeitjcehkiertwe,amhujeIhtdneavtnfalfeemerhogmns’htItihscaihhpwmseeuenhvyssbdeecnnnailrpremomhgsniknhoiiwhpuiOh you just leave and find yourself homeless again. necessity for services to be flexible to meet individual and changing needs. Male, former long term homeless, 40s. Service Provider. 77 Pleace, N. (2012) op cit; Hansen-Löfstrand, C. and Juhila, K (forthcoming) ‘The Discourse of Consumer Choice in the Pathways Housing First Model’ European Journal of Homelessness. 78 Pleace, N. (2008) op cit. 19
Finding the Way Home
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