Riverside Housing First model supports families to thrive
Riverside Scotland’s Housing First for Families service is the first of its kind in the country – and it has been so successful that the housing association is passionate in its desire to see this model rolled out across the country by other social landlords.
The service launched in North Ayrshire in 2021 as a Scottish Government funded pilot geared towards breaking the cycle of homelessness and addressing child poverty. But it was so effective that when the pilot ended in 2023 funding to continue was provided by the mainstream budget of Riverside Scotland and the roles of Housing First for Families Officers became permanent.
Housing First for Families is now permanent and self-funding, working closely with North Ayrshire Council to support around 41 families. Earlier this year, the service expanded into Dumfries following a successful application for funding from the Riverside Foundation charity associated with the housing association. A new officer has been recruited for the service.
Pamela Forrest, Riverside Scotland Head of Housing and Communities, said they are focused on growing the service and advocating for others to follow suit – to meet unmet demand for this version of the Housing First model of a home with wraparound support.
She said: “We really believe in the project. We think this is not beyond other RSLs to deliver. There are often external funding opportunities, so the money is not coming from core budgets which are already kind of stretched.”
Funding and collaboration
A key message from Housing First Check-up process in recent years has been the need for long-term financial commitment and good partnership working.
Pamela said: “Setting up this model needs a three-year investment, and an understanding that it takes this timeframe to launch, embed and bring long-term results – preventing homelessness, reducing child poverty and stopping that homelessness revolving door.
“We would love to see this model taken forward nationally because we know that it works. The Housing Bill requirement for social landlords to prevent homelessness is an opportunity to showcase this model for other RSLs who could source funding to deliver it.”
Case study
A mum of two whose experiences of domestic abuse and a difficult upbringing left her quiet, lacking in confidence and with poor mental health is thriving in a Housing First for Families tenancy – caring for her young family and doing a job she loves.
JD, then aged 18, had spent two months living in temporary accommodation and was eight months’ pregnant with her first child when she was referred to Riverside Scotland.
She previously lived with partner’s family but there was a domestic incident that sparked a police call-out, a suspected abusive incident and social work concerns over her relationship and living conditions.
How it works for families
Referrals come via community nurses who support pregnant women and new mothers, North Ayrshire Council’s homelessness prevention team, Riverside’s Voids and Lettings team, and existing tenants identified as being a good fit for the service.
Housing First for Families looks at each household as a whole, identifying support needs for parents and children and help with everyday tasks such as getting the kids ready for school or arranging GP appointments.
Housing Manager Clair Christie said success for tenants is measured in a holistic way. She said: “Success is a person sustaining their tenancy. But we also record other measures of success, like getting a tenant into driving lessons and getting their licence.
“They’ve maybe never had a passport in their life, so making that happen is success. Success is also getting someone engaged with the community, with groups. These kinds of things are a big deal for a lot of people.”
Roll-out ambition
Pamela added: “One of our goals is to try to find out if there other housing associations that would like to work with us alongside a local authority, where we go for funding and where we can support the model.
“We can provide training and guidance on the model so another social landlord can deliver the Housing First for Family service. Ideally, we would see a network of Housing First for Family officers who can come together to discuss caseloads and support one another. That’s how we would love to see this grow.”