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Safe Decent Housing for People with Mental Illness

March 31,2009

"Is recovery or even stability possible without safe decent housing?" asked Lynn Davison, Common Ground’s Executive Director. Our community has an overwhelming need for a coordinated group to help alleviate this problem. The Mental Health Division Mental Health with support from the Transformation Grant has stepped into support this group.

The Mental Health Housing Consortium (MHHC) just held their first all-day meeting on Thursday, March 26, 2009. "More than one third of the 60,000+ adults living in the community and served by RSNs may be homeless or living in substandard housing." said Davison. Since, stable housing is an essential element for anyone living with mental illness, the MHHC will focus on this issue.

"Frank Jose, the Employment and Housing Program Administrator for the Mental Health Division, described his vision. "This ‘Enterprise’ being proposed is to significantly increase the availably of housing for people receiving treatment through the public mental health system. Such housing will be affordable, desired and supportive of the person’s recovery. This enterprise is clearly beyond the resources of any one member."

Through regular in-person and telephonic meetings, the Mental Health Housing Consortium will:

  • Inform the Mental Health Division about the various housing activities taking place on the regional and local level.
  • Coordinate those activities with many partners around a common vision.
  • Share and formalize training and educate those involved in mental health housing about models and funding of housing and support services.
  • Increase coordination among other state and local agencies.
  • Advise Mental Health Division on its implementation of strategic initiatives related to housing.
  • Identify state, regional, and local gaps and needs.
  • Facilitate direct collaboration with consumers and advocates.

To help focus on these goals the Mental Health Housing Consortium is comprised of the following:

  • Regional Support Network’s Housing Leads
  • Program for Assertive Community Treatment Teams
  • Projects for Assistance in Transition from Homelessness State Coordinators
  • Projects for Assistance in Transition from Homelessness Local Coordinators
  • Community Trade and Economic Development Representatives
  • Mental Health – Prevalence Advisory Committee
  • Mental Health Providers
  • Mental Health Housing Providers
  • Consumers of Mental Health Services
  • Common Ground
  • Mental Health Transformation Grant
  • Other Housing Partners


 

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