King's College London

Members of the Homelessness Lived Experience Standing Advisory Group (run collaboratvely by KCL, LSE and the University of Salford) recently made the trip to Salford Loaves and Fishes for a meeting to look at different models of Housing First and their health impacts. Alongside lived experience members, the meeting was attended by members of the Southwark and Salford Housing First Teams and other practitioners working in the homelessness field. Presentations were followed by a lively question and answer session that highlighted how social housing shortages impact on the ability to scale Housing First.

Housing First provides people with a permanent home without imposing any conditions about engaging in treatment. Support is then provided for as long as needed. The importance of ensuring people with lived experience have a community voice was also raised - the monthly Community Forum at Salford Loaves and Fishes was highlighted as a best practice example.

The Ceremonial Mayor of Salford Heather Fletcher was also in attendance and is pictured above with Katie Ibrahim, Lived Experience Representative for Southwark Housing First.