Passende Huisvesting [Suitable Housing]: Paradigm Shift from Shelter to Stable Housing

This national research project addresses one of the most urgent social challenges in the Netherlands: ending homelessness by shifting from shelter-based solutions to permanent housing. The project is funded by the ZonMW through the call 'Thuis in verschillende woonvormen' of the NWA. It brings together a large consortium of over 30 partners, including universities, universities of applied sciences, municipalities, housing associations, advocacy organizations, shelter, and care providers.

The central ambition of the project is to support the implementation of a systemic Housing First approach in the Netherlands. This means providing immediate access to stable, affordable housing as the first step for people experiencing homelessness, combined with tailored support when needed.
Our work focuses on:
-- Policy and governance: Evaluating and improving municipal housing policies, adapting regulations, and enabling inclusive housing practices.
-- Innovation in housing solutions: Designing and testing new housing concepts and spatial strategies to expand suitable housing supply.
-- Systemic change: Repositioning key stakeholders (local governments, housing associations, and care organisations) to work collaboratively towards sustainable solutions.
--Societal impact: De-stigmatising homelessness and fostering broader understanding and acceptance of housing-first principles.

The project will incorporate a dual approach combining:
-- academic research evaluating local housing policies and implementation strategies for housing first leading to identification of key challenges and development of locally tailored scenarios.
-- research by design in the context of design studios and real-estate workshops where we explore new and adapted housing concepts addressing different needs and aspirations of people with history of homelessness.

By working closely with societal partners, such as municipalities, housing associations and care organizations, we ensure that relevant actors are committed to the paradigm shift, while addressing their concerns and ambitions.

Finally, through our Urban Labs approach combining research, design and learning communities we contribute to broadening understanding and acceptance of housing first principles.