ABSTRACT

Housing First is an evidence-based intervention designed to house individuals who are chronically homeless and are experiencing serious mental illness. The cross-sector collaboration required to provide person-centred supports to this population has resulted in increased understanding of Housing First as a whole systems response. Housing First implementation acts as a catalyst for systems change, yet research on how this change occurs is limited. This study examined the role of regional networks in advancing systems change through Housing First. A qualitative, multiple case study was conducted to examine two multi-city networks established by community leaders in the Canadian homelessness sector. Data collection activities included document analysis, interviews (n = 10), and two follow-up focus groups. Thematic analyses were conducted for each network, followed by a cross-case analysis. Findings indicate that engaging in a multi-city network increases leaders’ collective capacity to create conditions for change and to advance and sustain systems-level changes.

摘要

Housing First 是一项循证干预措施，旨在为长期无家可归和患有严重精神疾病的个人提供住房。为这一群体提供以人为本的支持所需的跨部门合作，使人们对“住房优先”作为一个整体系统响应有了更多的了解。住房优先的实施是系统变革的催化剂，但对这种变化如何发生的研究是有限的。本研究考察了区域网络在通过 Housing First 推进系统变革方面的作用。进行了一项定性的多案例研究，以检查由加拿大无家可归者部门的社区领袖建立的两个多城市网络。数据收集活动包括文件分析、访谈（n= 10)，以及两个后续焦点小组。对每个网络进行了专题分析，然后进行了跨案例分析。调查结果表明，参与多城市网络可以提高领导者为变革创造条件以及推进和维持系统级变革的集体能力。