Over the past 15 years, the Housing First approach has gained traction as an evidence-based solution to tackling homelessness in many developed countries, including Canada.
The idea is simple: people experiencing homelessness should be given access to housing without any conditions.
Numerous studies have shown its effectiveness in reducing homelessness and providing long-term housing stability, especially for people experiencing chronic homelessness. Yet, many countries still see rising levels of homelessness despite claiming to implement the approach.