It was the year 2011 that I traveled to Stord, Norway for the first time. It’s 2024 and I can add about four more visits to this City/Island that counts approx 20.000 souls. They do not differ from any other city and are dealing with similar ‘city issues’.
Yesterday we spent a day with their Housing First Team. They adopted this method after joining the Gras/Loopik Learning Experiences to the USA.
And I was flabbergasted by their effectiveness, dedication and stubbornness to stick to the method and dynamics of Housing First. They do their utmost to keep people housed, despite all the daily dilemmas that come to their table.
The Stord Municipality in Norway has banned homelessness from their town. Key to that amazing result is a team that stays true to the model, a great and always active Housing Coordinator, a people’s manager, a rock steady team leader, wonderful passionate workers and a police force that has a well-developed world- and human view on psychiatry and addiction. It’s a great example of a shared mission and network approach. Add all these ‘ingredients’ into a community-oriented-local-policy and success will come your way.
Stord is on my list of top 5 Housing First Teams in Europe. Happy to go back in October 2024 with 15 Nurse Practitioners from the Neds.