Results of a Process Evaluation of the Implementation of a Housing First Program in Waterloo, Canada

Publication: Canadian Journal of Community Mental Health
3 October 2024

Abstract

This study evaluated PATHS2Home (P2H), a Housing First program in Canada, through qualitative interviews and focus groups with 34 program staff, participants, and partners. Results showed successful implementation with participant satisfaction, strong program design and leadership, skilled staff, positive service system relationships, effective housing support, and fidelity to the Housing First (HF) model. Challenges included skepticism of the program model, communication with partners, staff turnover, and systemic factors such as affordable housing availability. Overall, the evaluation showed successful implementation of the P2H program in line with HF principles and identified several areas for improvement to better support participants and achieve program goals.

Résumé

Cette étude a évalué PATHS2Home (P2H), un programme Housing First (HF) (Logement d’abord) au Canada, à la faveur d’entretiens qualitatifs et de groupes de discussion avec 34 employés, participants, et partenaires du programme. Les résultats ont fait état d’une mise en œuvre réussie à la satisfaction des participants, une solide conception du programme, un vrai leadership, du personnel qualifié, des relations positives avec l’administration des services, un soutien efficace au logement et une fidélité au programme HF. Les défis demeurent le scepticisme à l’égard de ce type de programme, la communication avec les partenaires, le roulement du personnel et des facteurs systémiques tels que la disponibilité de logements abordables. Dans l’ensemble, l’évaluation a démontré la mise en œuvre réussie du programme P2H en accord avec les principes HF et a identifié plusieurs domaines d’amélioration pour mieux soutenir les participants et atteindre les objectifs du programme.

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Information & Authors

Information

Published In

cover image Canadian Journal of Community Mental Health
Canadian Journal of Community Mental Health
e-First
Pages: 1 - 20

History

Version of record online: 3 October 2024

Key Words

  1. Housing First
  2. homelessness
  3. process evaluation
  4. fidelity assessment

Mots-clés

  1. Housing First
  2. sans-abrisme
  3. évaluation de processus
  4. évaluation de fidélité

Authors

Affiliations

Maritt Kirst [email protected]
Wilfrid Laurier University
Steven Bigioni
Wilfrid Laurier University
Margaret Douglin
Wilfrid Laurier University
Victoria Rozycki
Wilfrid Laurier University
Geoffrey Nelson
Wilfrid Laurier University
Edwina Toope
Lisa Gill Tamcsu

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