Home4Health is a project that seeks to collaborate with civil society organizations, institutions, and public authorities in addressing, from a socially inclusive perspective, the challenges encountered in caring for people experiencing homelessness and facing complex health issues and traumas, such as addiction.
The Home4Health European Knowledge and Experience Sharing Meeting held in Lisbon from May 27th to May 29th, 2024, served as a pivotal platform for professionals and organizations dedicated to addressing the challenges of homelessness who face complex health issues and trauma.
Hosted by CRESCER, the event brought together professionals and representatives from the four partner organizations of the project (ABD, Cork Simon Community, HVO-Querido, and CRESCER) as well as various partner organizations and public administrations, including Fundació Hàbitat3, Norte Vida, Municipality of Amsterdam, Public Health Agency Catalonia, Barcelona Public Health Agency, and Diputació de Barcelona.
The event started on May 27th, with a welcoming dinner at É UM RESTAURANTE, a social enterprise managed by CRESCER, which actively promotes the employability of individuals experiencing homelessness through on-the-job training and continuous social support.
The second day, the 28th, began with institutional welcoming remarks, outlining the conference’s objectives, notably the establishment of a European Support Network among different platforms, entities and organisations to disseminate and scale up across Europe the project results.
The opening conference was held by Henrique Joaquim, from the Government body ENIPSSA – Portuguese National Strategy for the Integration of persons in homelessness situation; by Joaquim Fonseca, from the Institute of addictive behaviour and dependency of the Portuguese Ministry of Health; by Paulo Santos, from Lisbon Municipality and leading the approval of the 3rd Municipal strategy for inclusion of people who experience homelessness; and by Cristiana Pires, a researcher for the project Kosmicare.
The morning also featured a dynamic speed networking activity, facilitating meaningful connections among participants from different countries, and a comprehensive training session on harm reduction principles in homelessness and drug use, led by ABD and HVO Querido.
In the afternoon, a thought-provoking roundtable of experiences showcased successful strategies from Portugal, Spain, Ireland, and the Netherlands, aimed at transitioning individuals from homelessness to employment and housing. This was an opportunity to reflect on the challenges and the strategies adopted at several different levels, which provided insights on how to improve the provision of services for people in situations of homelessness. Related to this, participants engaged in sharing case studies, one case per country, which made it possible to identify concrete examples of interventions aimed at reducing the effects of homelessness and allowed a more grounded approach to the matter. The group highlighted the successful case of a non-binary person in a situation of homelessness who, after his stay and support from a shelter with a harm reduction focus, could find a job and a new stable accommodation. The importance of maintaining psychosocial support beyond its connection with the service, respecting the person’s goals and applying the pragmatism of harm reduction were excellent practices.
Also in the afternoon, CRESCER presented the results of the Focus Groups that were developed during the months of March and April, with professionals and persons in situation of homelessness. These results are crucial for the development of the training program of Home4Health as they set the basis for identifying needs and gaps and providing comprehensive training to address them. All partners agreed that it is essential that clients, professionals and peers participate in this type of exploratory approach.
The third and last day was marked by roundtable discussions on “Homelessness Intersections,” delving into the multifaceted relationship between homelessness and various factors of social oppression. Participants also explored ideas for cooperation between local governments and third-sector organizations, with a focus on creating synergies and practical solutions. It was highlighted that the roundtables had mixed participation, incorporating voices and experiences of administrations, peers, field professionals and representatives of third-sector organizations.
Concluding with a group conversation on the next steps of the Home4Health European Network, the event emphasized the collective efforts needed to build and strengthen the network’s common strategy.
The Home4Health European Knowledge and Experience Sharing Meeting provided an invaluable platform for collaboration, learning, and advocacy, fostering enhanced support for individuals grappling with homelessness and complex health issues across Europe.
