Initial Implementation of Housing First in Five Canadian Cities: How Do You Make the Shoe Fit, When One Size Does Not Fit All?

At Home/Chez Soi, a large, $110-million, randomized trial evaluating the effectiveness of Housing First services for 2,235 individuals who are homeless and experiencing mental illness, was implemented in five Canadian cities, beginning in fall 2009. This paper describes initial implementation of the Housing First model, focusing on specific strategies, including centrally coordinated training/technical assistance and local site coordinators as change agents in each city. Implementation of this complex intervention varied across sites but was remarkably consistent regarding the essential ingredients of the program model. A strategy that balanced a strong centrally coordinated approach to technical assistance with customization and adaptation on the local level was essential for achieving a high fidelity implementation.