Across Europe, homelessness remains a pressing issue, with nearly 1.3 million people experiencing housing instability. In response, cities are pioneering innovative strategies to provide lasting solutions. One such approach, Housing First, has gained traction for its effectiveness in securing permanent housing for homeless individuals while offering tailored support services.
A new Eurocities report, ‘Housing First in Action: insights from five European cities‘, sheds light on the successes and challenges of implementing this model in Brno, Glasgow, Lisbon, Lyon Metropole, and Vantaa.
Housing First: more than just shelter
Traditional homelessness services often require individuals to meet specific conditions—such as sobriety or employment—before accessing housing. Housing First flips this model, prioritising stable accommodation as the foundation for recovery. This approach recognises housing as a fundamental right and integrates voluntary support services in mental health, employment, and social reintegration.
Studies show that Housing First has a success rate exceeding 80% in helping individuals retain housing long-term. However, implementation varies significantly across cities based on local policies, housing markets, and available funding.
Five cities, five approaches
Brno: pioneering the model in the Czech Republic
Brno was the first Czech city to introduce Housing First, launching its pilot programme in 2016. Initially targeting 50 families, the project has since expanded, benefiting from European Social Fund Plus (ESF+) funding. Brno’s approach prioritises vulnerable groups such as rough sleepers and families with health issues. Despite its successes, the city faces challenges in securing sustainable funding and reducing long waiting times for social housing.
Glasgow: integrating housing first into policy
Glasgow was an early adopter of Housing First in Scotland, focusing on individuals with complex needs, including substance abuse and mental health issues. The programme, initially led by Turning Point Scotland, has grown into a core city service with strong government backing. A key success factor has been Glasgow’s ability to mobilise public housing and foster strong partnerships with social landlords. However, challenges remain in scaling up the programme, as high levels of ongoing support are required for many participants.
Lisbon: municipal leadership in tackling homelessness
Lisbon’s housing first journey began in 2009 with a small-scale initiative led by the Association for Psychosocial Study and Integration (AEIPS). over time, the city government stepped in to expand the programme, setting an ambitious goal of securing 400 housing placements. Unlike other cities, Lisbon relies almost entirely on the private rental market, which has made securing affordable housing increasingly difficult. To address this, city officials are advocating for national policies that allocate social housing specifically for homeless individuals.
Lyon Metropole: a policy-driven approach
Lyon has embedded housing first principles into its broader housing policies, aiming to integrate the model across all homelessness services. the city works closely with national agencies to ensure funding and legislative support, prioritising affordable housing development over traditional shelters. However, a tightening housing market and financial constraints pose obstacles to fully realising the programme’s potential.
Vantaa: Finland’s systemic commitment to housing first
As part of Finland’s broader homelessness strategy, Vantaa has implemented a whole-system approach where housing first principles guide all homelessness services. Publicly owned housing plays a crucial role in the model, allowing for long-term stability. One unique feature of Vantaa’s approach is the involvement of individuals with lived experience in shaping services. Nonetheless, financial sustainability and social isolation among first-time housing residents remain concerns.
A European commitment to ending homelessness
While Housing First has demonstrated its effectiveness, cities face significant hurdles in scaling up their initiatives. Common challenges include housing shortages (in cities like Lisbon and Lyon, limited affordable housing restricts programme expansion), funding constraints as many programmes rely on a mix of local, national, and European funding, with concerns over long-term sustainability, and social integration, as providing housing is only one part of the solution—ensuring community support and access to services is equally crucial.
To address these issues, the report recommends strengthening the European anti-poverty strategy to include a strong focus on homelessness, increasing funding for social and affordable housing at the EU and national levels, enhancing support for local governments to expand housing first programmes, and reinforcing collaboration between national and municipal policymakers to ensure holistic and sustainable approaches.
The Lisbon Declaration aims to eradicate homelessness in Europe by 2030. Housing First offers a proven pathway toward this goal, but its success depends on continued investment, policy alignment, and community engagement. Cities are leading the way, but they need stronger support from national and European authorities to turn this vision into reality.
As urban populations grow and housing crises intensify, housing first presents not just a solution to homelessness but a redefinition of how cities support their most vulnerable residents. By prioritising stable housing as a human right, European cities can create more inclusive, resilient communities for the future.
