Exchange and Learning Visits
Four exchange and learning visits were organised among partner institutions to share best practices and methodologies in addressing homelessness through adapting the Housing First approach.
Each visit lasted 2 days, with each partner hosting one visit. A Research Group Day was also held on a third day.
- Participants: Key staff members, including senior management, project managers, social workers, etc
- Locations: Visits were conducted at partner institutions in Helsinki, Berlin, Dublin and Barcelona
The exchange and learning visit work package for the Adapting Housing First project has successfully enhanced skills and knowledge, will help to develop best practice guidelines and strengthened partnerships. Despite some adjustments in schedule and the addition of virtual components, the activities were completed effectively, ensuring high-quality outcomes. Robust planning, continuous monitoring and evaluation have ensured the quality of the activities and results.
Workshops and brainstorming sessions were held focusing on specific aspects of the Housing First model, such as client engagement, housing procurement, and integrated support services.
The workshops included presentations, group discussions which were facilitated by experts from within the partner organisations and external specialists.
Participants engaged in site visits/field observations of ongoing Housing First projects, included visiting housing sites, and meeting support staff, allowing them to see real-world applications and challenges.
Joint seminars were also held in Dublin and Barcelona to discuss the adapting housing methods in partner countries at exchange visits and workshops. Topics included policy advocacy, funding strategies, with interactive discussions.
All learning visits included an excellent balance on seeing Housing First services and reflection.
Helsinki May 2023
Time was spent visiting the services of two of the partners, in Helsinki and Berlin in 2023.
The first exchange and learning visit took place in Finland, where Housing First has been implemented since 2008. The Finnish model has been successful due to unique implementation and country specific adaptations. To fully understand how the concept and adaptations of Housing First in Finland, the learning visit programme was designed to cover ‘the journey of Housing First in Finland´ from past to present.
Juha Kaakinen, currently Professor of Practice at the Tampere University, played a key role in the creation of Housing First model in Finland in 2007. Since then, his active involvement and achievements in decision making, advocacy and practice have been highlighted both nationally and internationally. During the visit we had an opportunity to hear Juha’s interpretation of the Journey of Housing First in Finland and have a dialogue with him about the role of adaptations, possibilities and challenges. This session gave not only an overview of the situation in Finland but also a profound basis for the mutual learning.
Y-Foundation has been a key actor in designing, implementing and promoting Housing First nationwide and internationally. A presentation of the organisation provided a practical approach of an organisation’s role in Housing First. Furthermore, housing advice was presented as a vital work practice in the prevention of homelessness.
Site visit to the Salvation Army supported housing unit provided a good understanding of a service which was converted from a night shelter into a supported housing unit where the residents have their own home with a proper rental lease and support available around the clock if needed. The presentation of the place covered the history, the change into Housing First, support and daily activities available amongst other things. The tour of the facilities provided a first-hand experience and understanding of the daily live in the unit.
Training plays a key part in this project. National Housing First Development network provides regular training on different aspect of Housing First free of charge for anyone working in the field of homelessness. The presentation provided information on the key topics, the design and the delivery of the training. Some of these topics are directly linked to adaptations of the delivery of Housing First.
The last session of the exchange was reserved for sharing and reflection.
Berlin October 2023
The second learning visit took place in Berlin 4th and 5th of October.
The group met at Zentrum Lehrter Straße, the headquarter of Berliner Stadtmission. The two days were also joined by three members of the staff of Housing First Berlin; Mr. Jens Rockstedt represented the social department of Berlin (Senatsverwaltung für Soziales).
After a welcome and short “what´s new session” Karen Holzinger and Ingo Bullermann gave a detailed overview about the German system of social welfare and homelessness help, the special situation in Berlin and the role of Housing First on a national and regional level. The group visited some different, low threshold services in the area Zentrum Lehrter Straße and in the afternoon the project Housing First. There the structure, the work and the outcome of the project were presented by the team leader Corinna Müncho.
In the morning of the second day three site visits opened a wider view on the differentiated Berlin help system: Housing First for women (Sozialdienst Katholischer Frauen), Social and youth welfare services Friedrichshain-Kreuzberg (Neue Chance gGmbH), Therapeutic combined living in Berlin Neukölln (GEBEWO Soziale Dienste Berlin gGmbH). In the afternoon the group shared the insights and experiences and discussed the following questions: What surprised you? What is similar to HF even though it isn’t? Where did we discover parallels/intersections/distinctions from the original? What is „specifically German”?
The meeting finished with a short planning session for the next dates and activities in the Erasmus program.
This visit also included an additional day (6th of October) to conduct research focus groups, both including both professionals and people with lived experience. From Y-Foundation three participants attended the visit; Head of International Affairs, Head of Research and Postdoctoral Researcher (who will be responsible for data collection and analysis starting in January 2024).
Dublin February 2024
The third learning visit took place in Dublin in February. The very first findings of the research were presented in the seminar together with the project outline and Housing First in Finland. Again, an additional day was included to conduct focus group interviews with both professionals and people with lived experience.
The visit was a great success with seminar presentations, seeing services, and collecting valuable insights of housing first adaptations.
We were delighted to welcome Minister for Housing Darragh O’Brien and listen to his opening address at our Adapting Housing First Seminar
A welcome was also given to the EU Partners by Sophia C.E.O Tony O'Riordan.
The Housing First National Office also joined the Adapting Housing First Seminar. National Director of Housing First, Rob Lowth delivered a presentation titled 'Impacting the Recovery Potential for all Tenants'. He described how Housing First 'gives a person a world back' and that Adapting Housing First is a very innovative & very ambitious project.
Florence Magee of Léargas who also spoke at the seminar described the Adapting Housing First project as a shining example of how EU partners can come together. 'A very exciting, very timely project'
Over the two days, the EU Partners were given a tour of the Campus in Cork Street (including the Nurturing Centre, which is a place where children can grow and develop), and of the services at Sean McDermott Street and Tallaght.
Research partners the Y-Foundation discussed Housing First in Finland and how they are coordinating the research on housing first adaptations. The first results will be later this year.
A very engaging conversation/brainstorming session was held with Sophia staff and the EU partners.
Detailed presentations were given on Trauma Informed Care & Seeking Safety, which is an evidence-based, present-focused counselling model to help people attain safety from trauma and/or substance abuse.
Lunch was provided by our chef Trevor Kearns who uses the food waste reduction initiative Food Cloud (see details in Annex Work Package 2, Catering Folder)
All documentation, presentations, reports etc is included in Annex Work Package 2 Dublin Visit
Barcelona April 2024
The fourth and final learning visit took place in Barcelona, where a similar presentation was given about the project, Housing First in Finland and the first insights to research results, and also a presentation by Housing First Berlin, in a national seminar organised by Arrels. The focus group interviews were conducted on an additional research day.
Arrels Foundation and the Social Rights Department of the Catalan Government invited all personnel and entities involved in the deployment of the Action Framework for Addressing Homelessness 2022-2025 to participate in a Day Debate (part of the Exchange and Learning Visit) to advance in the Housing First model implementation in Catalonia. The Action Framework commits to combining the Housing First model with other resources such as inclusion apartments or the adaptation of existing resources for other profiles and situations.
Nicholas Pleace, one of the researchers from the European Observatory on Homelessness linked to FEANTSA was invited to speak/record a video for the seminar. Nicholas has worked intensively on the Housing First implementation in Europe. For many years, he has been collecting the opportunities and limitations when developing it in different European countries and his expertise is invaluable to the Adapting Housing Project.
Transnational Meetings
The Transnational meetings provide a platform for face-to-face interaction, which is essential for building strong, trusting relationships between our partner organisations from Dublin, Helsinki, Berlin and Barcelona. These interactions foster a collaborative spirit and enhance mutual understanding. The meetings help ensure that all partners are on ‘the same page’ regarding project goals, timelines, and responsibilities. This improves overall project management and quality assurance, facilitates the coordination of activities, and helps address any issues promptly.
The first meeting (Kick-off Meeting) took place in Dublin in January. The purpose of this meeting was to kick off the project with all project partners and go over the objectives and commitments of the project. The meeting was hosted by Sophia Housing. The second meeting took place in June 2024 in Berlin (where partners discussed what has been achieved, identified potential challenges, and made necessary adjustments to ensure that the project stays on track and meets its objectives). These meetings provide opportunities for the exchange of best practices and innovative ideas, and partners can share their experiences, discuss what works well in their contexts, and learn from each other.
While digital communication tools are useful, face-to-face meetings significantly enhance communication by allowing for immediate feedback and clarifications. They also help to resolve misunderstandings more efficiently.
The Transnational meetings are crucial for effective problem-solving and decision-making. They provide a forum for discussing challenges and finding solutions collectively, ensuring that decisions are well-informed and consensual. This helps maintain high levels of motivation and engagement among project partners and provide a sense of commitment and accountability, encouraging all partners to contribute actively to the project's success.