The Housing First concept is precisely that: a social program that provides immediate access for people experiencing homelessness to permanent housing. Its fundamental principle is that everyone deserves adequate/enduring housing as an essential right before improving anything else. Every night, an estimated 19,000+ people find themselves without a place to go or sleep with dignity and security in Chile. Homelessness is one of the cruelest and most degrading ways of poverty.
Homelessness is one of the cruelest and most degrading ways of poverty. In that way, people experiencing homelessness have always been a high priority for the Hogar de Cristo. The longer a person lives as homeless, the less possibility to reinsert.
The Housing First Social Program is based on the idea that all people deserve adequate housing as an essential right and, first and foremost, to improve anything else. Over 530 people 50+ have participated in the program; however, there is still a long way to go. Your valuable support will be highly appreciated to continue retrieving its trajectories of inclusion.
The Housing First model was launched in the United States, Canada, and some European countries in the 80's. After 2 to 5 years of evaluation, the experience is that 70-80% of those who participated in the program stayed off the streets, and 70% reduced their alcohol consumption.
