5 Conclusions Introduction The final chapter of this report draws together the findings and considers the implications of the research for the implementation of housing-led services in Ireland. Seeing the strengths of housing-led However, to be a ‘housing-led’ service, service provision must services in context closely reflect the housing-led philosophy in more than just one or two respects (see Chapter 2). Housing-led services are not a ‘revolution’ in quite the same Direct experience of a full ‘Housing First’ model in Ireland is way in Ireland or Western Europe as they were in the USA, currently focused on the ongoing HFDP project in Dublin which because Ireland and similar countries have relatively more is the subject of an ongoing three-year evaluation96. Examples consistent and comprehensive social policies and already have of such services that directly follow PHF, CHF or HFL an array of homelessness services that tend to follow a not approaches remain unusual in Ireland. dissimilar logic to housing-led services. The Irish and Western European context is one in which, there is an ever increasing, The global evidence base strongly indicates that housing-led emphasis on community-based services recognising personal services are very capable of ending sustained homelessness choice, respect for individual rights and deinstitutionalisation. among people with high support needs (see Chapter 2). All of which are integral to the housing-led philosophy, dating However, this research sought to explore the extent to which back for a quarter of a century or more94. From an Irish the global evidence base is applicable to Ireland. After standpoint, housing-led services look less radical than in conducting the research two important questions about the use America95 because some aspects of how housing-led services of housing-led models in Ireland need to be raised: work are already standard practice across some homelessness services in Ireland. This includes following a harm reduction • How far is the evidence of the success of housing-led approach and providing user-led services that emphasise services in delivering sustained exits from long term or individual choice. chronic homelessness in other contexts relevant to Ireland? • Housing-led services cover a wide range of approaches, but It is not however the case that housing led services are ‘in to work well and effectively, it needs to take a fairly specific effect’ already being widely used in Ireland. To be a form of form in terms of fidelity to the Pathways philosophy and also housing-led service, provision must: requires a specific operational context. Are these • include ongoing support, considerations reflected in how housing-led services will be implemented in Ireland? • not set conditions on service users to access and retain housing/settled accommodation, other than compliance with a tenancy or licence agreement, i.e. no insistence on abstinence or treatment compliance or other requirements, • cannot include a supported housing stage to get people ‘housing ready’ as part of a staircase or similar approach, • must emphasise choice and control for individual service users in personalised support plans (as distinct from consulting with service users as a group) . This is not to suggest that housing-led services cannot be used in various ways and take various forms, because that is the reality of operational practice across the USA and wider world. 94 Meirllseornalanfd RosmbNidg2e008)lityoPrensng the Present: Administering Economic, Social and.isrevGoP:(.r,eaCeiL.P,P 95 Johnsen, S. and Teixeira, L. (2012) op cit. 96 http://thehomelessagency.newsweaver.co.uk/newsletter/1w3fun2l4iv?opc=false&s= 30
Finding the Way Home
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