Housing First in Gateshead
Housing First is a proven approach to ending homelessness. It helps people to find permanent housing while providing personalised, open-ended support. Housing First is based on the belief that housing is a human right, and that having a secure home makes it easier to tackle other challenges.
Proven long-term benefits of Housing First include:
- long-term housing stability
- improved health and wellbeing
- greater community involvement
- better financial inclusion and independence
- reduced costs to public services (homelessness, police, health, and criminal justice)
How it works
People are given a home first - without conditions around 'housing readiness'.
Support is flexible, tailored to individual needs, and available for as long as it's needed.
Housing and support are kept separate, giving people choice and control over their lives.
The focus is on people's strengths, goals, and aspirations, using a harm-reduction approach.
Support workers have small caseloads (1 worker for every 5 people) to give quality care.
Who it's for
Housing First is designed for people aged 18 and over who are facing multiple challenges, such as:
- drug or alcohol misuse
- mental health difficulties
- offending history
- domestic abuse
- rough sleeping or long-term homelessness
To qualify, people must have a local connection to Gateshead and be entitled to UK benefits, including housing support.
The referral process
With limited availability, referrals are made by the Housing First panel - a dedicated multi-agency panel that meets monthly. Following an assessment by our Housing Solutions team, each referral is reviewed and discussed by the Housing First panel.
Once a case is accepted, our service provider Oasis Community Housing (opens new window) starts working with the person straight away, offering intensive, person-centred support.
Housing First will support up to 15 people in Gateshead, with a further five across South Tyneside.
More information
For more information, email [email protected].