Housing First involves providing clients with assistance in finding and obtaining safe, secure and permanent housing as quickly as possible. The key to the Housing First philosophy is that individuals and families are not required to first demonstrate that they are ‘ready’ for housing. Housing is not conditional on sobriety or abstinence. Program participation is also voluntary. This approach runs in contrast to what has been the orthodoxy of ‘treatment first’ approaches whereby people experiencing homelessness are place in emergency services and must address certain personal issues (addictions, mental health challenges, et.) prior to being deemed ‘ready’ for housing.

Housing First is a rights-based,client-centered approach that emphasizes client choice in terms of housing and support. 

• Housing – clients are able to exercise some choice regarding the location and type of housing they receive (e.g. neighborhood, congregate setting, scattered site, etc.). Choice may be constrained by local availability and affordability. 
• Supports – clients have choices in terms of what services they receive, and when to start using services. 

Housing First practice is not simply focused on meeting basic client need, but on supporting recovery. A recovery orientation focuses on individual well-being, and ensures that clients have access to a range of supports that enable them to nurture and maintain social, recreational, educational, occupational and vocational activities. 

For those with additional challenges, a recovery orientation also means access to a harm reduction environment. Harm reduction aims to reduce the risks and harmful effects associated 

A client-driven approach recognizes that individuals are unique, and so are their needs. Once housed, some people will need minimum supports while other people will need supports for the rest of their lives (this could range from case management to assertive community treatment). Individuals should be provided with “a range of treatment and support services that are voluntary, individualized, culturally-appropriate, and portable.” Supports may address housing stability, mental and physical health needs and life skills. 

Income supports and rent supplements are often an important part of providing client-driven supports. If clients do not have the necessary income to support their housing, their tenancy, health, and well-being may be at risk. Rent supplements should ensure that individuals do not pay more than 30% of their income on rent.

It is important to remember that a central philosophy of Housing First is that people have access to the supports they need, if they choose. Access to housing is not conditional upon accepting a particular kind of service.

Part of the Housing First strategy is to help people integrate  into their community and this requires socially supportive engagement and the  opportunity to participate in meaningful activities. If people are housed and become or remain socially isolated, the stability of their housing may be compromised. Key features of social and community integration include:

• Separation of housing and support (except in the case of supportive housing).
• Housing models that do not stigmatize or isolate clients. This is one reason why scattered site approaches are preferred. 
• Opportunities for social and cultural engagement are supported through employment, vocational and recreational activities.