Ornelas, José <br/><br/>
Housing First in Portugal: An example of social change 

 -  2019.<br/>							 
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<br/><br/> In Portugal, Housing First has been receiving increasing attention from homelessness service providers and organizations, as well from policy makers. The first program began in 2009, in Lisbon, and is operated by AEIPS, an NGO, in collaboration with researchers from the ISPA-University Institute. The project, named Casas primeiro , targeted people in situations of long-term homelessness with mental health problems and who were living in very harsh conditions. The project provided people with immediate access to independent apartments in various areas rented in the normal rental market, and offered personalized, flexible, and consumer-driven support services. Results from the two-year pilot project were very positive. This chapter outlines the origins and diffusion of Housing First ideas in Portugal. Particularly, it examines how this pilot project has influenced changes in the homelessness system, both at city and national levels. Sustainability efforts, and dissemination initiatives to promote Housing First programs in other communities are described, including training and technical assistance activities. It also describes recent developments in social policy change.