Chronically homeless people have very complex and persistent needs that, if not addressed appropriately, lead to poor health, prolonged homelessness and even death. They face health inequalities and multiple financial and non-financial barriers to accessing care and require very specific and tailored services to be delivered to them over the long term.
Based on growing international evidence and experience, we have identified four key components for improving the well-being of people experiencing homelessness that can help end homelessness:
- A holistic continuum care
- Targeted health services
- Effective outreach
- Trauma-informed care
The SOLACE CEE project aims to pilot an innovative initiative for integrated health and social services to address the complex needs of chronically homeless people. The main objective is to identify effective ways to end homelessness among this demographic group.
The project will implement a holistic approach to homelessness, incorporating health components as part of a continuum of care – from outreach to housing solutions. This will be achieved through collaboration with specialist health and social care teams engaged in outreach and medical clinics, complemented by a trauma-informed approach and digital healthcare. The resulting support services will integrate the humane and person-centred values of the Housing First approach with a range of health services (covering trust, physical and mental health, including addiction support), social care, employment services and social networks and support services. The main objective is to fully implement this innovative model in five countries within the Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) and Balkan region, specifically Slovakia, Hungary, Bulgaria, Poland and Romania.
Project Objectives:
- Extend outreach services beyond typical locations, reaching communities not traditionally monitored and addressing
engagement challenges by fostering trust, cultural competence, and empathy in service providers.
- To increase the organizational capacity of outreach services and integrated support programs by providing additional training and resources to staff, focusing on healthcare professionals and the trauma-informed care approach.
- To provide missing data on homelessness in project countries (e.g. national data for Slovakia or data on aspects of homelessness in other countries).
- Establish an integrated and comprehensive support program that delivers consolidated housing, social health services and general assistance to chronically homeless people regardless of their dwelling place, providing them with a holistic and coordinated approach to address all their diverse needs.
Term: 1 October 2024 – 30 September 2027
Funding: The SOLACE-CEE project is funded by the European Union.
