Housing First is the most evidence-based approach to ending homelessness: provide stable housing immediately, without preconditions, and deliver wraparound support services. Unlike traditional "staircase" models that require sobriety or treatment compliance before housing, Housing First provides housing first — then delivers support. Multiple international trials show Housing First achieves over 80% housing retention for chronically homeless people. Australia has adopted Housing First in several programmes but implementation remains patchy and underfunded. Grant funding supports Housing First programme development, implementation, evaluation, and the advocacy that pushes for systemic Housing First adoption.
The traditional model vs Housing First
Traditional homelessness services use a "staircase" or "treatment first" model:
- Crisis shelter → transitional housing → permanent housing
- Requires sobriety or treatment engagement to progress
- Many people fall off the staircase
- Permanent housing remains a reward, not a right
Housing First inverts this:
- Immediate stable housing, no preconditions
- Voluntary support services offered after housing
- Individual choice respected
- Evidence: much more effective for chronic homelessness
The evidence base
Australian context
NHHA (National Housing and Homelessness Agreement)
Commonwealth-state agreement — includes some Housing First elements.
Housing Australia Future Fund
Social housing with wraparound services — some Housing First aligned.
State homelessness programmes
Several states have trialled or are implementing Housing First:
- Victoria: Common Ground model (supportive housing)
- NSW: Housing First programmes
- QLD: Common Ground Brisbane
The Paul Ramsay Foundation
Ending cycles of disadvantage — housing and homelessness is central.
Shelter WA / Shelter NSW
Housing policy advocacy including Housing First.
Mission Australia
Homelessness services including Housing First models.
Launch Housing
Housing First implementation in Victoria.
Micah Projects
Queensland Housing First programme operator.
The Salvation Army
Homelessness services and some Housing First elements.
Programme implementation
Supportive housing
Tenancy support
Wraparound services
Youth Housing First
Indigenous Housing First
Women's Housing First
Rough sleeping
Research and evaluation
Advocacy and systems change
Housing First is not just the right thing to do — it's also cost-effective. Rough sleeping is expensive:
- Emergency department presentations
- Ambulance call-outs
- Police contacts
- Court and corrections
- Mental health crisis services
A person cycling through crisis services can cost $40,000-$100,000+ per year. Housing with support typically costs $15,000-$30,000 per year. Housing First saves money while achieving dramatically better outcomes.
Fidelity to the model
Housing First effectiveness depends on programme fidelity — particularly the "housing first, not housing with conditions" principle. Applications demonstrating commitment to Housing First fidelity (using validated scales) are more credible.
Systems change
Individual Housing First programmes are valuable but insufficient. Applications that include advocacy for whole-system Housing First adoption — changing how the entire homelessness system operates — are more ambitious.
Lived experience leadership
People with lived experience of homelessness should be in leadership roles in Housing First programmes — not just as participants. Applications with genuine lived experience governance and staffing are more credible.
Housing access
Housing First without housing is impossible — the programme needs housing stock. Applications that address housing supply (partnerships with community housing providers, landlord engagement) are more realistic.
Tahua's grants management platform supports homelessness funders and Housing First organisations — with client housing retention tracking, tenancy outcome data, wraparound service measurement, and the reporting tools that help Housing First funders demonstrate the most effective investment in ending chronic homelessness.