Housing First
Evidence-based solution to chronic homelessness for those with complex needs
This initiative provides long-term housing solutions and tailored support to help individuals sustain tenancies and rebuild their lives.
Connect Housing First (CHF) began in 2019, building on Connect’s experience in homelessness work as the region’s Rough Sleeper Outreach Team and as managers of the Dairy House rural supported housing project. It has since become Somerset’s flagship provider in this field.
CHF currently delivers intensive support to 22 individuals, with further assessments taking place, and a contract with Somerset Council extending provision to up to 26 people. While primarily operating in Somerset East, our reach extends from Westbury in Wiltshire to Crewkerne in South Somerset, and as far as Cheddar in Sedgemoor.
Housing First offers a proven, evidence-based solution to chronic homelessness for those with complex needs — people with long histories of rough sleeping, social, physical, and mental challenges, and repeated barriers to recovery within traditional systems. The model provides individuals with their own front door and wraps intensive support around them to promote stability, choice, and well-being.
This approach depends on the collaboration of local housing associations willing to offer tenancies to people with complex needs, supported by CHF’s commitment to proactive tenancy sustainment. Ongoing partnership with these providers is key to building sustainable, community-based solutions to homelessness.