08 | What bonds us today? Value based approach to Housing First
Tracks
English
| Thursday, November 6, 2025 |
| 13:15 - 14:15 |
Details
As members of the Housing First community, we have bonded by this Model since early 2000s. Coming from states that are more and less democratic/autocratic populist/knowledge-based liberal/social wealthier/poorer with all levels of (dis)respect to human rights we quickly noticed that effectiveness in implementing HF varies.
Recently, we observed our leaders discuss the core of HF. Tsemberis said that “Housing-First is a freaking program” (HFEHConference, Dublin2024). Mike Allen (Focus Ireland) stressed that Ireland has the best National HF Program and the worst homelessness crises (same conference). JuhaKaakinen invigorates us to fight for ending homelessness not for HF. Our Leaders have different visions.
So, what bonds us today?
We invite the audience to reflect on what is universal in our work and what most effectively engages us to end homelessness. The baseline for the discussion will be the perspective of HFadvocates from Central-Europe presenting their experience in using HF-movement to end-homelessness in-their-communities.
Speaker
Julia Wygnanska
President
FUNDACJA NAJPIERW MIESZKANIE POLSKA
What bonds us today? Value based approach to Housing First
Biography
Julia Wygnańska is an advocate for ending homelessness and a Housing First Trainer. She works as a social reintegration therapist, motivational interviewing and solution-focused therapy practitioner. Since 2020, she is the President of the Housing First Poland Foundation working to end homelessness at the systemic and individual level.
