Recovery from chronic homelessness in a Southern European city: lessons from a Housing First project in Barcelona

Primer la Llar is a Housing First pilot programme in Barcelona that provides homeless individuals with direct access to permanent housing. Housing First has been implemented and evaluated in cities worldwide, though to a lesser extent in Southern European countries. This article presents the main findings on the recovery processes of individuals experiencing long-term homelessness with mental health issues or substance abuse in this programme. The qualitative research draws on narratives from a sample of 20 participants, collected through individual in-depth interviews at three points in time between 2016 and 2020. Recovery is a process adapted to the individual’s characteristics, rhythms, and needs. An analytical framework is used to organise the findings into five dimensions—material, relational, bodily, decisional, and temporal—and to identify typical trajectories. The results indicate that high housing stability is achieved, providing a foundation for a new path forward. However, stigma, the effects of poverty on the life trajectory, and the precariousness of their economic and employment situation are key barriers to improved outcomes.