Housing First is an approach that focuses on moving people who are chronically and episodically homeless as rapidly as possible from the street or emergency shelters into permanent housing with supports that vary according to participant need. The supports are provided by a Housing First Case Manager, who serves as a main point of contact for the participant from assessment to follow-up and who is provided backed up support by a Housing First Supervisor, Housing First Specialist and a community of practice.

Housing First is usually based on 5 core principles:

• Immediate access to permanent housing with no housing readiness requirements

• Consumer choice and self-determination

• Individual, recovery-oriented, and client driven supports

• Harm Reduction

• Social and community integration

Housing First requires a community of practice and specific program guidelines that reflect the geographical area of focus of the program. In the links following are resources specific to community partners across Simcoe County, as well as the Simcoe County Regional Housing First Program’s vision, principles and program operation.