Bite-sized chat: Why we need a specialist Housing First for Youth response.

Our third Bite Sized Chat for 2026 is with Samara Jones, Coordinator Housing First Europe Hub, FEANSTA. Samara has worked on homelessness and social justice issues both in Europe and Canada. She is based in Brussels and has extensive experience training, researching and working in the sector. She co-designed and delivers HF4Y training and train the trainer programs for the Housing First Europe Hub.

In this session Samara talks about why Housing First needs to be adapted for young people. Housing First for Youth (HF4Y) emerged in response to evaluation data about Housing First showing mixed results for young people. The model has been adapted to specifically meet the different needs and approaches used to support young people experiencing or at risk of homelessness. HF4Y is designed to address the needs of developing adolescents and young adults by providing them with rapid access to housing that’s safe, affordable, appropriate and without pre-conditions, combining this with necessary and age-appropriate supports that focus on health, well-being, life skills, engagement in education and employment, as well as social inclusion. The goal of HF4Y is to support young people through their adolescence and facilitate a healthy transition to adulthood, all while having a safe and stable place to call home. Specialist HF4Y projects have emerged in Canada, Ireland, Scotland, and a range of other countries.

Samara has also shared some slides that she references in the chat.

05/06/2026 News and EventsWAAEH