Intro to the pathway models

Prevent

Help

Create pathways

The model; adapted for use by the WMCA Homelessness Taskforce and the C2C toolkit, helps to identify what is already being done to prevent homelessness, identify where the gaps are, and what might be done to address those gaps.
Thus, underpinning a better understanding to enhance the protective factors within the universal prevention space and target homeless prevention at the earliest possible opportunity.
While it may appear linear, it is recognised that experience of life, especially in the occurrence of something like homelessness, is rarely straightforward. The model could in fact be conveyed as circular, reflecting that it is universal prevention that enables and maintains the status of a settled home.
Today’s discussions will use the six stages of the pathway highlighted here to underpin the session.

Universal prevention

This is what prevents homelessness without having any directly perceived relationship to homelessness prevention. Those things in society and life that are protective factors. In health terms universal prevention is having fluoride in water, health advice to eat ‘five a day’, and immunisations; in homelessness terms it is those factors which support and protect – health, income, relationships, secure accommodation, amongst many others.

Targeted prevention

This is provision or interventions which have a designed purpose in preventing homelessness or related issues. For example, housing advice, leaving care pathway, discretionary housing payments, bond schemes.

Crisis prevention

This is where homeless crisis is imminent or occurring, requiring emergency accommodation. The objective is for any crisis to be as brief and having as small an impact as possible. For example, the experience of temporary accommodation, hostel accommodation or rough sleeping.

Recovery

This is the work required in re-establishing the protections against homelessness and often dealing with the causes and impact of homelessness. This may include financial, health, relationship, rebuilding.

Move on support

This is what is required for the physical, emotional and cognitive moving on from a homelessness experience. For example, it may be very practical matters like the logistics of moving, or the emotional support to deal with change and challenges.

Settled home

This is attaining the desired state of protection against homelessness, the re-established factors being in place, while also clearly requiring the access to affordable, secure accommodation.

A Voluntary Commitment to Collaborate to Prevent and Relieve Homelessness