Four Core Principles of Integrated Health and Social Care

These four principles translate the operational framework into practice. Each tab below explores one principle in depth — read through all four to continue.

2.LOW-BARRIER AND EQUITABLE ACCESS

3.TRUST-BASED AND TRAUMA-INFORMED PRACTICE

4.HEALTH AND HOUSING AS RIGHTS

1. Whole-Person Integrated Care

People experiencing homelessness often live with intersecting needs. Whole-person care therefore includes:

Primary medical care

Mental health and addiction treatment

Dental care

Preventive services

Case management

Medical respite care

Housing linkage and social stabilisation

The goal is coordinated "whole person care". Health cannot be stabilised without addressing social conditions such as housing, income and safety.

(formerly: Comprehensiveness) — integrated care must address the full health and social profile of the individual.

2. Low-Barrier and Equitable Access

Integrated care must be reachable in practice — not only available in theory. Low-barrier access means reducing physical, administrative and psychological obstacles.

This includes:

Outreach services

Mobile clinics

On-site care in shelters

Walk-in appointments

Simplified administrative procedures

Services independent of ability to pay

A "no wrong door" approach

Equitable access recognises that individuals facing extreme marginalisation require proactive engagement.

(formerly: Accessibility) — accessibility reduces fear, stigma and avoidance of care.

3. Trust-Based and Trauma-Informed Practice

Integrated care depends on professional culture as much as system design.

Providers must:

Understand homelessness as a structural and social issue

Apply trauma-informed care

Use harm reduction approaches

Build long-term, consistent relationships

Work collaboratively within multidisciplinary teams

(formerly: Attitude) — respect and dignity are not optional values, they are essential clinical tools.

Trust is often the entry point to engagement.

4. Health and Housing as Rights – System Responsibility

Integrated care is grounded in social justice. Health and housing are understood as rights — not privileges.

This principle includes:

Advocacy for structural change

Data-driven evaluation

Continuous quality improvement

Inclusion of people with lived experience (e.g., advisory boards)

(formerly: Philosophy) – The goal is not only treatment, but stabilisation and exit from homelessness.

Integrated care therefore functions both as service design and as a value framework guiding system responsibility.

CORE INSIGHT

Integrated care for people experiencing homelessness is defined not only by coordination — but by:

Whole-person scope

Low-barrier access

Trust-based relationships

Commitment to dignity and long-term stability

Together, these four principles form the operational backbone of effective integrated systems.

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