The Sainsbury Centre publishes briefing on housing for people leaving mental health hospitals

3 March 2004

Health, housing and social services need to work closely together to ensure people leaving mental health hospitals are given real choices about where they live, says a briefing paper published today by the Sainsbury Centre for Mental Health.

The briefing paper is based on a survey published by the Mayor of London, the Association of London Government and SCMH in 2003. It outlines the key issues raised by the London study and sets out recommendations for services nationwide.

They include:

  • Accurate local mapping of current supplies of 'move-on' housing and of the needs of the client group;
  • An expansion in the supply of housing where gaps are identified;
  • A surplus of places to be maintained to allow residents to have trial periods in new accommodation;
  • Local reviews of the effects of the Supporting People scheme on the availability of move-on housing.

Lesley Warner, senior researcher at SCMH, said: "Move-on housing is a vital resource for people getting their lives back after a period in hospital. It combines housing with personal support for people who need it.

"Shortages of move-on housing lead to delayed discharges from hospital or force people to move into accommodation far from their local community. It is important for housing associations, local authorities and NHS trusts to work together to fill in the gaps and offer service users a choice of where they live."

Download Briefing paper 25 (270 KB)