People in capital with mental health problems not receiving housing services

Londoners with severe mental health problems are missing out on
housing due to a damaging postcode lottery of services, according
to new research, writes Amy Taylor.

The report, one of a series being produced by the King’s Fund as
a part of its ‘Mental Health Inquiry’, found that there are
significant variations in the amount of specialist housing
available in different London boroughs that have no correlation to
need.

It found that the amount of supported housing available for
mental health sufferers has declined per head over the past five
years, with the amount provided by housing associations remaining
static. The overall quality of housing that is available was found
to be inadequate.

Kathleen Boyle, one of the authors of the report, said: “Housing
is central to mental health services, but the majority of homes are
concentrated within inner London boroughs and many outer London
boroughs are missed out.”

The report’s findings also show that mental health sufferers’
complexity of need is higher than five years ago, but that
providers of specialist housing are reluctant to accept people with
complex mental health problems.

The report, ‘Housing for Londoners with Mental Health
Needs’, is available
here