Podcasts Other The Mike Hosking Breakfast Nevil Pierse: Otago University Professor on the benefits of a housing first programme

Nevil Pierse: Otago University Professor on the benefits of a housing first programme

Published: April 18, 2024, 10:04 p.m.

A study has found that housing has a significant impact on the prospects of homeless people. \xa0

University of Otago research has found that those who live in a housing first programme have better health, income, and justice outcomes.\xa0

The study involved 387 homeless people, and in five years the number of hospitalisations fell by 44%, nights spent in mental health units fell by 63%, and there was a 43% reduction in criminal charges.\xa0

Professor Nevil Pierse told Mike Hosking that the study really shows that permanent housing and support really works, and after five years huge improvements can be seen.\xa0

He said that the key in this study was the people going straight into permanent sustainable housing as opposed to emergency transitional housing, which creates a sense of stability.\xa0

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