Housing First
and Shared Housing

Housing First program

Hogar de Cristo’s Housing First program provides immediate access to permanent housing for people experiencing homelessness. Its core principle is that people can improve their lives when they are housed first and their essential rights are respected. Once these needs are stabilized, people can access further support. The Ministry of Social Development introduced the model in Chile in 2019, and Hogar de Cristo implemented it.

Eligibility criteria include being over 50 and having lived without shelter for at least five years. In addition to a safe place to live, participants receive comprehensive support to help them rebuild their lives and reintegrate into society.

Currently, 176 participants receive this service, supported by 8 agreements with the Ministry of Social Development and Family, and are distributed across the cities of Copiapó, Coquimbo, Valparaíso, Santiago, Osorno, and Magallanes.

The average participant age is 59. Most participants (89%) are male, while 11% are female. 98% are Chilean nationals; 63% live in extreme poverty, 19% in non-extreme poverty, and 18% are not living in poverty.

We invite you to support this cause that restores dignity and hope: DONATE HERE.