The introduction of the Housing First approach in Germany came relatively late, compared with other European countries, but with a remarkable dynamic. First debates about “doing it already” and “cannot do it because of the lack of housing” have been overcome and the approach is now widely accepted as part of a differentiated support system for homeless people. Still most of the around 50 different housing first projects are funded as pilots for a limited period. The presentation will inform about the target groups, strategies to procure housing, staff issues, the main types of support provided, and about the efforts and challenges for scaling up Housing First in Germany.
Speaker:
Since 2019, peer workers have been formally employed in Vienna’s homeless services. People who have experienced homelessness themselves and have completed the certificate course "Peers in Homeless Services" are a permanent part of the Housing First teams at neunerhaus, bringing the valuable perspective of reflective experiential knowledge.
This interactive workshop introduces the training program for peer workers at the neunerhaus Peer Campus and explores their specific roles within the Housing First context. Participants will gain practical insights into the qualification process and the impact of peer work.
The workshop will address the following questions:
Speaker:
Housing First for Women is more than a social project—it is a feminist shift in perspective. The Berlin-based model by the SkF challenges dominant narratives: homelessness is not personal failure, but a result of structural inequality and patriarchal violence. For seven years, the project has been successfully placing women into safe, permanent housing—unconditionally and without forcing adaptation. With a housing stability rate of 90%, it proves that trust works better than control.
HFF makes visible what has long been invisible: female homelessness, often shaped by violence, poverty, and exclusion. The key to a home becomes more than just a tool—it becomes a symbol of freedom, security, autonomy, healing.
This talk shows how HF challenges power structures, breaks stigmas, and supports women discovering their own “superpowers.” It’s not about top-down charity, but about real participation and reclaiming space. A bold model that inspires new pathways in homelessness services—feminist, radical, and effective.
Speakers:
Rent arrears are among the most common causes of housing loss—even within the Housing First model. To proactively address this, neunerhaus and neunerimmo developed a structured rent monitoring system. By working closely with landlords and social workers, this system helps identify early warning signs and initiates targeted interventions. The presentation outlines how this ongoing process functions, the technical and organizational structures behind it, and how collaboration is managed. Case examples will illustrate its impact, challenges, and limitations.
Speakers:
In this interactive workshop, we will present the LGBTQIA+-specific Housing First program from Schwulenberatung Berlin—Europe’s largest queer NGO. Using a responsive “fishbowl” discussion format, experts from Housing First Queer will explore key topics such as healthcare access, gender transition, peer support, community-building, discrimination, and cross-organizational collaboration. Together with participants, we’ll dive deeper into practical challenges and share innovative approaches. This session offers a unique opportunity to exchange best practices and develop strategies for inclusive housing and support for queer individuals, while building valuable networks.
Speakers:
In this two-part workshop, we will address the question of how Housing First can be sustainably and legally financed – particularly in light of the current status under funding law, the positive experiences with its transition into support under Sections 67 of the Social Code XII (SGB XII), and the current discussions on integrating support services in combination with integration assistance. In the first part of the workshop, we will examine existing financing models and the connection between Housing First and other support systems, especially integration assistance. Jutta Henke from GISS will provide a scientifically grounded overview of the current state of Housing First financing in Germany. Anne Blankemeyer, project leader at Housing First Bremen until 2021 and an experienced practitioner in integration assistance, will contextualize the development of integration assistance in light of the BTHG (Federal Participation Act) and demonstrate the resulting possibilities for implementing Housing First. The second part will feature a panel discussion with experts from various perspectives.
Speakers:
Housing First programs thrive on committed, often young teams who work with passion but may quickly reach their limits. This presentation shares practical insights on building and sustaining resilient, motivated teams—even under pressure. Key questions include:
How can teams with flat hierarchies and limited resources remain effective and healthy?
What roles do shared responsibility, peer support, and self-care play?
How can burnout be addressed structurally, not just individually? Real-world successes and failures will be discussed to invite reflection and dialogue.
Speaker:
We use cookies to analyze website traffic and optimize your website experience. By accepting our use of cookies, your data will be aggregated with all other user data.