Homes Within Reach Conference: Applied Housing First and Harm Reduction

Applied Housing First and Harm Reduction

After 30 years of research, Housing First has finally entered mainstream discourse as an effective approach to ending homelessness, especially for those experiencing the greatest barriers to care. Evidence shows that meeting people where they are and providing services that match their specific challenges and level of need through harm reduction is a key indicator for success. But what does this actually look like in practice? Join us for a discussion about the application of Housing First and harm reduction theory to everyday practice. We’ll share clinical strategies for engaging your participants around behaviors that challenge continued tenancy and practice creative problem solving by applying Housing First and harm reduction principles to participant case studies.

Presenters:

Andrew Spiers, MSS, LSW (he/him) is the Director of Training and Technical Assistance for Pathways to Housing PA’s Housing First University. Andrew joined Pathways in early 2018 and served as an Assistant Team Leader and Team Leader before launching Housing First University in October 2019. Andrew holds a Master of Social Service from Bryn Mawr College’s Graduate School of Social Work and Social Research, where he concentrated in Community Practice, Policy, & Advocacy. He has taught Human Services and Sociology courses as an adjunct professor at Harcum College and conducted trainings and workshops all over the country on Housing First, harm reduction, and affirming care for LGBTQ+ communities.

Ryan Villagran, MSW, LSW (he/they) joined Housing First University in June 2021 as a Training Specialist. Ryan holds a Master of Social Work from Temple University with a concentration in Communities & Policy. His clinical background includes delivering psychiatric rehabilitation services in the mental health recovery model at a Community Integrated Recovery Center. Ryan also developed and coordinated a training program in a university setting for social workers serving transitional-aged youth and later taught a Human Behavior in the Social Environment course for graduate social work students. Ryan is involved in organizing efforts around ending mass incarceration and believes in the power of our collective imagination to dream of a better future centered around the most vulnerable members of our community.