CHP is thrilled to announce that the 2024 Jenny Smith Housing First Scholarship has been awarded to Zach Biggin from Launch Housing.
The Scholarship, now in its second year, provides up to $15,000 to cover the travel costs for one practitioner to undertake an overseas study trip to explore Housing First approaches in other countries.
Zach will travel to Canada, visiting a number of services that were involved in the landmark At Home/Chez Soi Housing First demonstration project, conducted in 5 Canadian cities as a randomized controlled trial between 2009 and 2013. He aims to examine and report back on the sustainability and fidelity of these programs ten years on. In particular, Zach will investigate the operation and impact of Assertive Community Treatment teams, as well as visit Indigenous-led and co-designed Housing First projects.
“I was incredibly excited to find out that I won the Jenny Smith Scholarship,” Zach says. “I’m so passionate about Housing First and I can’t wait to experience firsthand some world-leading programs and immerse myself in these to learn from them and report back to Victoria. I’m very appreciative to CHP for the opportunity!”
Zach impressed the panel with his desire to learn how Housing First had matured over time and what policy lessons that holds for the Victorian context. In addition, his strong practice focus with plans for an immersive placement with a multidisciplinary Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) team will help Victoria to understand how these unique and clinical program elements deliver support for trauma, substance use and mental health. This will deliver critical insights for our Housing First service delivery in including assertive outreach and post-housing support.
Congratulations to Zach. We can’t wait for him to share his insights upon his return next year!