The Principles of Housing First and the ‘non negotiables’

(children’s) exposure to multiple traumatic events, and the impact of this on immediate and long-term outcomes (Cook et al., 2007). Child abuse, domestic violence, and neglect, as well as war, and being a refugee are all recognised types of complex trauma (Cook et al., 2007; International Society for the Study of Trauma and Dissociation, 2020).

Wilton and Williams (2019) highlight recognised gender differences in trauma in terms of the types of traumatic experiences that women and men are more likely to be exposed to, their reactions to these experiences, and the longer-term implications. They emphasise that, for women, trauma is often inextricably linked to relationships, intimacy and disempowerment.

The Principles of Housing First and the ‘non negotiables’

Steele (2021) highlights that the principles of Housing First are well suited to a trauma and gender informed approach to service design and delivery. Women accessing a Housing First service for women with an offending history tended to have very high needs, including domestic abuse, mental health problems, issues with alcohol/drugs, and experiences of prison (Quilgars and Pleace, 2017).

Ultimately, Housing First symbolises a different approach to the traditional ‘treatment first’ approaches where housing is almost the end goal. Instead, Housing First is based on the belief that everyone has a fundamental right to a home. Building on the original Pathways to Housing model in the USA, Homeless Link published the principles of Housing First England (see below) as well as a set of five fundamental ‘non negotiables’ that must be in place: (1) people experiencing multiple disadvantage, (2) permanent offer of support, (3) non-conditional access to housing, (4) stability of tenure, and (5) small caseload size.