National Housing Strategy for People with a Disability 2011 - 2016

HSE and disability organisations with the families and carers of people with mental healthdisabilities is essential in order to assist in strengthening, and thereby preventing, thebreakdown of support mechanisms.9.33 All relevant agencies need to be cognisant that people may develop a mental healthdisability when they are already in appropriate long-term housing. In such cases, where theacquired disability may affect the person’s ability to maintain their housing, communitymental health teams and housing authorities, and other relevant providers must engagewith a view to providing appropriate support. Provision of support to carers and families isalso necessary. Research 85 has shown that the preferred accommodation of a significantnumber of people with mental health disabilities is their family home. Therefore, priorityshould be given as far as possible to support the family unit and prevent breakdown.(d) Design and Location Considerations9.34 To be conducive to recovery, housing for people with a mental health disabilityshould be secure, amenable, reflect customer choice, in so far as is possible, 86 integratedinto local communities and incorporate flexible, individualised and accessible supports.Choice, location and design of dwellings are of paramount importance in assisting in themanagement of a mental health disability.9.35 People with a mental health disability can be particularly vulnerable to anti-socialbehaviour and this should be taken into account when allocating housing. Anti-socialbehaviour can have a profoundly negative impact on individuals who are prone to delusionalbehaviour or spells of acute paranoia or anxiety. Under the Housing (MiscellaneousProvisions) Act 2009 87 , each housing authority is required to adopt an anti-social behaviourstrategy for the prevention of anti-social behaviour in its housing stock. These strategiesaddress local authority housing, long term leasing, RAS accommodation, tenant purchaseproperties and halting sites. The strategies include complaints procedures, prevention andreduction plans and the education of tenants. They are formed in consultation with JointPolicing Committees, An Garda Síochána, HSE, local drugs task forces, estate managementcommittees, etc. and adopted by local authority members. It is recommended that relevantdisability organisations are also consulted in the preparation of anti-social behaviourstrategies.85A study of homeless mental health service users in Dublin found that 59% stated that they would prefer to livewith others and that the first preference (42%) is to live with their families. Cowman J. (2008) Descriptions ofhousing and support preferences of homeless mental health service users in Dublin (unpublished thesis)86Increased choice and control on the part of persons with a disability leads to increased perceptions of qualityof life and community adjustment – (Nelson et al 2006)87Section 35 of the 2009 Act was brought into operation on 1 December 2009 by S.I. 449 of 2009. Localauthorities were required within one year of the coming into operation of this section, to draw up and adopt ananti-social behaviour strategy.115