• Wet and ‘some tolerance’ housing are essential parts of homelessness services. These models accept that some residents will continue to drink alcohol and focus on reducing harm rather than requiring abstinence, while providing clear pathways to less tolerant housing as support needs change.
  • Services should be co-designed with people with lived experience. Involving people who have experienced homelessness and alcohol dependence helps create realistic policies, values and support approaches that are more effective and responsive to residents’ needs.
  • Policies and expectations must be clear, consistent and realistic. Drug and alcohol policies, house rules and behaviour expectations should promote safety and respect while recognising that dependent drinkers may not be able to stop drinking immediately. Consistency and trust are key to maintaining engagement.
  • Flexible, harm-reduction support and skilled staff improve outcomes. Person-centred support plans, rapid responses to changing motivation, opportunities for peer support, and staff training in approaches such as co-production, strengths-based practice and reflective practice help residents make sustainable progress.

Effective engagement and support

A review of the literature, interviews with frontline staff working in homeless services, and interviews and focus groups with PWLE suggest the following approaches and activities are most beneficial when working with people experiencing homelessness who are drinking heavily:

  • Sustained person-centred support
  • Critical Time Intervention
  • Co-production
  • Peer Advocacy
  • Peer Mentoring
  • ‘Time out’ activities
  • Sustained, person-centred support is most effective for people with complex needs. Consistent relationships, flexible support, and approaches such as Critical Time Intervention (CTI) help individuals navigate key transitions, maintain housing and access the right support at the right time.
  • Co-production and peer support improve engagement and outcomes. Involving people with lived experience in designing and delivering services, alongside peer advocacy and mentoring, builds trust, empowers individuals and demonstrates that recovery is possible.
  • Activities outside accommodation can reduce stress and support recovery. ‘Time out’ activities, such as community groups, hobbies or social activities, help people manage tensions within accommodation, build confidence and develop positive coping strategies.
  • A range of alcohol treatment options should be available to match individual needs. Effective support includes harm reduction, psychosocial and clinical interventions, detoxification, residential rehabilitation and recovery housing, with pathways tailored to individuals’ goals, motivation and circumstances.