Housing and accommodation support for people with mental illness

Like any other long-term condition, mental illness can affect your ability to manage parts of everyday life, including finding a place to live and keeping it. People who have a serious mental illness, or more than one condition at the same time (sometimes called a ‘dual diagnosis’), are more at risk of becoming homeless. Homelessness means you do not have a safe and stable place to live.

If you have a mental illness and are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless, there are services that can help you find both short-term and long-term accommodation.

Types of support#

Several kinds of services help people with mental illness get back on their feet while recovering, or find a home that suits their needs.

• Short-term and recovery options. These can help you recover after a stay in hospital or support you to live independently. Depending on what suits you, you may be able to stay at a rehabilitation center or remain in your own home.
• Supported residential services. Different types of supported accommodation are available, often run by community or non-government organizations.
• Housing and recovery programs. Some programs focus on people with serious mental illness who are homeless or at risk of homelessness. They help you work towards a safe, stable home as part of your recovery.

How a housing and recovery worker can help#

A housing and recovery worker can support you to:

• find, and keep, suitable and affordable housing
• pay your rent and manage a tenancy independently
• manage your mental illness day to day
• make connections and get involved in your local community
• plan for the future, including finding work

Finding services in your area#

To find out what is available where you live, you can speak with your case manager, doctor or counselor. Your local government or council may also be able to point you to housing and support services.

Extra support may be available for particular groups, such as older people or younger people living with disability. Your healthcare team can help you understand what you may be eligible for.

If you or someone you know is in immediate danger or crisis, contact your local emergency services straight away, or reach out to a crisis support line in your area.

Key points#

• Mental illness can make finding and keeping a home harder, and serious or multiple conditions raise the risk of homelessness.
• Short-term, supported residential, and housing-and-recovery services can all help.
• A housing and recovery worker can support you to find housing, manage a tenancy, and plan for the future.
• Ask your case manager, doctor, counselor or local council to find services in your area.
• In a crisis, contact emergency services or a local crisis support line.