Bite-sized chat: Unpacking the multi-disciplinary model of Housing First used in Paris

On 26 March 2026, WAAEH hosted their first of four first “Bite Sized Chats” for 2026. The first session was led by Ben Rickey, Coordinateur Lodement d’Abord a la Ville de Paris. Ben leads the Housing First team delivered by the City of Paris. Originally from England he has lived and worked in Paris for many years and is an accredited Housing First trainer and experienced practitioner.

In this session, Ben explores how the Housing First model he delivers in Paris differs from those seen in Australia with its multi-disciplinary team and cross departmental funding, including health funding. Housing First is traditionally delivered in two different ways, the Intensive Case Management (ICM) model most often used in Australia, and the Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) model originally developed by Sam Tsemberis. The ACT model used by Ben’s organisation employs a multi-disciplinary team with a range of diverse skills like mental health workers, alcohol and drug specialists, nurses, peer workers, etc. so that the team can work together to meet the diverse needs of the people they are supporting.

02/04/2026 News and EventsWAAEH