Innovation in Housing First – a social reaffiliation project in Belgium
(2021) 15th European Research Conference on Homelessness — Location: Online (24.September.2021)
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- Abstract
- Housing First is active since 2013 in Belgium. It has renewed the debate on homeless people, their chances of reintegration and the support services available to them. In 2020, in the midst of the pandemic, a new experiment was financed by the federal ministry of Social Integration that aims to develop innovative methods to strengthen the social affiliation process of housed ex-homeless people. Support is provided by 'social affiliation coaches' hired specifically for this project. In this way, this experiment tries to answer one of the main weaknesses of Housing first, namely the social isolation and lack of social participation of housing first clients (Quilgars & Pleace, 2016). An evaluative research project has been launched by CIRTES (UCLouvain) and LUCAS (KULeuven) in order to accompany the social experimentation currently underway in seven Housing First projects (Namur, Charleroi, Liège, Brussels, Gent, Hasselt and Kortrijk). The research teams combine quantitative and qualitative methods to identify succesfull methods that enhance the social reafilliation of housing first users and that counteract precariousness and social isolation. The evaluation framework adapted to homelessness has been conceived by Wagener and Hermans based on the works of Serge Paugam on social ties. (2003, 2011). Paugam presents a comprehensive view of social ties and forms of personal, institutional and societal support that allow for some protection and also deferred access to social recognition. The presentation will focus on the methods that have been developed by the housing first teams, the evaluation method and the main findings related to social affiliation.
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Citations
Wagener, M., Hermans, K., Bonnetier, C., Mertens, N., & Moriau, J. (2021). Innovation in Housing First – a social reaffiliation project in Belgium. 15th European Research Conference on Homelessness, Online. https://hdl.handle.net/2078.5/238744