Housing First 101 training – practical skills for impact

Join us for an interactive in-person training session designed to deepen your understanding of the Housing First and it’s approach – whether or not you work in a formal Housing First program. This session will provide you with the history and evidence base of Housing First and equip you with practical tools and techniques that can be applied across a range of roles to support better outcomes for people experiencing homelessness.

Facilitated by two of Australia’s Housing First trainers, Leah Watkins and Michala McMahon bring decades of frontline and system-level experience. Leah is one of the country’s few internationally accredited Housing First trainers, with over 30 years in the sector. She played a key role in drafting the Housing First Principles for Australia and is working on impact and advocacy for supportive housing with Housing Choices.

Michala, Director of Practice and Improvement at the WA Alliance to End Homelessness (WAAEH), leads Advance to Zero in WA with a strong focus on Housing First service coordination. Together, Leah and Michala have worked on major initiatives like 50 Lives 50 Homes and the Zero Project WA, with a shared commitment to systems change and person-centered practice.

Participants will leave this training with:

• A clear understanding of the Housing First philosophy and principles
• Insight into applying a Housing First lens even outside of formal programs
• Practical tools and evidence-informed approaches
• Skills to better support housing stability and wellbeing for people experiencing homelessness

This is a must-attend session for anyone committed to delivering housing-led, person-centered support, or wanting to understand more about Housing First in Australia.

Please note that to keep ticket prices as low as possible we will not be providing lunch, as the event goes over the lunch period we encourage you to bring your own to the session, there is a fridge and microwave available for your use. We will be providing much needed teas, coffee and some sweet treats to keep you hydrated and refreshed!