National Housing Strategy for People with a Disability 2011 - 2016

Appendix 3 Aims and Objectives ofMental Health SubgroupThe aims and objectives of the Mental Health Subgroup were to make proposals in relationto the following:1. To improve the lives of people with a mental health disability and support recoverythrough the provision of appropriate housing and supports;2. To ensure that the specific housing needs of people with a mental health disabilityare fully recognised, understood and addressed, including access to and maintenanceof appropriate housing;3. To ensure that there is a full understanding by both recipients and providers ofservices of the role and responsibilities of all agencies involved in the provision ofhousing and care for people with a mental health disability;4. To formalise and/or make recommendations in respect of joint working betweenrelevant agencies to ensure the most effective use of housing and support resources,including community, social and health care supports; and5. To provide for better information sharing and communication between relevantagencies.The following principles were agreed by the subgroup:(a)(b)(c)The housing needs of people with a mental health disability should be addressed inan integrated, flexible, and responsive manner, which reflect the need for differenttypes of housing and other supports at various stages of the lifecycle and, wherepossible, takes the person’s individual needs and preferences into consideration.This principle also recognises that, in the case of a mental health disability, urgentresponses in respect of both housing and other supports will often be required tomeet arising needs. The strategy recognises that actions can be taken to addressthese needs if all parties concerned are flexible, understanding and innovative.Appropriate housing is a critical element of a continuum of care to assist in themanagement of a mental health disability, including contributing to the prevention ofrelapses, facilitating pathways to recovery and providing a place to live in dignity.People with a mental health disability should enjoy equal access to appropriatehousing. Discrimination on the grounds of disability, including a mental healthdisability, in the provision of goods and services including accommodation, isprohibited by the Equal Status Acts 2000 to 2004.147147