Welcome in my backyard: how having good neighbours can help ending homelessness

Abstract

[EN] With the goal of drawing lessons from collective mixed housing projects in Utrecht, the HU University of Applied Sciences Utrecht, created in partnership with care and housing providers a Community of Practice on Mixed Housing. Residents of housing projects, social workers, community builders and managers of housing associations, care providers and homeless organisations participated in this learning community. The research conducted within the framework of this Community of Practice reveals the positive impact of three projects housing ex-homeless people on the individual wellbeing of most inhabitants. Furthermore, the research underlines the potential of these innovative projects to scale up affordable and adequate housing for both (young) people entering the housing market and people previously depending on protected housing facilities, institutions or shelters. Lessons learned from the projects have been incorporated in (plans for) new mixed housing projects. These include a set of conditions under which mixed housing projects can help care providers, homeless services, housing corporations and local authorities to secure a good living environment for all – including those living close to these housing projects.