Housing First and Trauma Informed Care

All programs operating within the Continuum of Care are required to operate with a Housing First, Low Barrier and Trauma- Informed Care approach.

Housing First programs focus on quickly moving people experiencing homelessness into permanent housing and then providing the additional supports and services the person needs to sustain housing. Housing first believes EVERYONE is ready for housing.

Trauma Informed programs must incorporate trauma informed care policies and procedures into their program delivery and services. Trauma informed care is defined as an organizational structure and treatment framework that involves understanding, recognizing, and responding to all effects of all types of trauma. Trauma informed services take into account an understanding of trauma in all aspects of service delivery. Trauma informed care emphasizes physical, psychological, and emotional safety and helps participants rebuild a sense of empowerment.

Low Barrier programs do not require persons to prove “housing readiness”. There are no preconditions (minimum income requirements, sobriety requirements) for program entry.