Registration for European HFPC

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Attendees who select conference + post event registration will have their choice of one (1) post event workshop or site visit to a local Housing First program. For more information about registration click here. 

This post conference workshop will introduce the key principles and practices of the ecological and collaborative community integration intervention for Housing First teams. We will discuss how the core values of empowerment and community integration can be translated into everyday practice and inform individualized recovery plans across multiple domains. Based on these principles, Housing First teams focus on creating opportunities and developing resources for people to participate in all areas of community life, in the same way as other citizens. Access to employment, education, recreation, social involvement, civic engagement, or to other resources and activities that are available in the community for all citizens are fundamental to improving participants’ living conditions, wellbeing, and sense of belonging. In addition, we will describe the potential role and activities of peer providers within Housing First teams. Examples of the Housing First programs led by AEIPS (Portugal) and Towarzystwo Pomocy im. św. Brata Alberta (Poland), will be shared and discussed with the audience. Practical exercises and small group discussions will be held in this session. There will be ample time for questions and to address the concerns that practitioners have on implementing this ecological intervention. 

Speakers: 

• Jose Ornelas,  ISPA-Instituto Universitário / AEIPS, Portugal 
• Piotr Olech,  owarzystwo Pomocy im. św. Brata Alberta, Poland  
• Maria Teresa Duarte, AEIPS, Portugal

A practical discussion on maintaining fidelity to the Housing First model while allowing for local adaptation. This workshop will explore core elements, common challenges, and strategies for ensuring quality and consistency across programs.  

Speakers: 

• Ana Stefancic, Columbia University, United States
• Tim Aubry, School of Psychology and Centre for Research on Educational and Community Services, University of Ottawa, Canada
• Sam Tsemberis, Founder, Pathways Housing First Institute, United States 

Strengths Model Case Management (SMCM) is an evidence-based practice with over four decades of research demonstrating its effectiveness. The goal of SMCM is to help people make movement toward valued life goals and roles by building upon their unique strengths and capabilities, even amid the internal and external life challenges they experience. SMCM aligns with Housing First principles and values, inviting people to work in partnership with the support team to continue building a life that contributes to a sense of meaning, purpose, identity, and empowerment. In this workshop, Dr. Rick Goscha, the co-developer of Strengths Model Case Management, invites participants to explore how SMCM can enhance the effectiveness of a Housing First program. The workshop will include: • An overview of the Strengths Model’s core values, principles, and philosophical orientation (and how it aligns with Housing First). • Discussion of the neuroscience behind effective use of SMCM tools, interventions, and approaches. • Discussion of why an intentional, relation-based, trauma-informed, and goal-focused approach to care coordination and support is more effective than traditional reactive, transactional approaches to case management. • A visualization of the conceptual flow of SMCM and how it helps workers stay grounded and intentional from the early phase of engagement to graduated disengagement. • Case examples that demonstrate how SMCM tools (the Strengths Assessment and Personal Empowerment Plan) and interventions can be flexibly used in practice. 

Speakers: 

• Rick Goscha, CEO Founder of Strengths Model, Inc., California, United States

Since 2018, Housing First Berlin has been working with an interdisciplinary team to place homeless people in their own accommodation on a permanent basis using the Pathways model. We cordially invite 40 interested parties to familiarise themselves with our work and gain insights into our approach. Our team supports tenants on a long-term, individual and needs-oriented basis in order to stabilise housing conditions in the long term. Our team of social workers, peers and team leaders will be happy to answer any questions you may have during your visit and look forward to chatting with you. 

Duration of tour: 102 minutes 

Space is limited to 35 participants. 

Housing First for Women has been in existence since October 2018. Our team consists of a psychologist, 6 social workers, a craftswoman, an administrator, a colleague for housing acquisition and public relations. Our target group includes single women and mothers with underage children who have not had their own accommodation for at least a year and have many issues with which we can provide support.

Duration of tour: 60 minutes 

Space is limited to 15 participants. 

Presentation of the work of Housing First Queer with PPT and question and answer session in the counselling café at our location, which we also use for services for HF clients. Team leaders and employees from social support, psychological counselling and trades can be available as discussion partners. 

Duration of tour: 120 minutes 

Space is limited to 15 participants.