Housing Options For Individuals With Serious Mental Illnesses (SMI)
Challenge:
Serious challenges face communities and clinicians in developing appropriate and adequate housing for people with serious mental illnesses (SMI). Successful housing approaches leverage available resources to provide housing and supports that match each individual's needs and preferences, and promote successful tenure and continuity of housing. There is frequently tension between the principles of individual choice, the availability of resources, and perceived requirements for community safety. Housing opportunities often do not meet personal needs and preferences, which often leads to poor outcomes, including heightened risk of homelessness.
Position:
Housing for people with serious mental illnesses (SMI) is both a right and an important determinant of health and wellness. AACP believes that people with SMI, including those with co-occurring substance use disorders, must have access in every community to a full spectrum of housing options, as a limited range of housing environments impedes personal recovery goals and compromise overall community wellbeing. Options must accommodate individual choices, preferences, and needs, as well as promote personal well-being and recovery. Housing options should include, but not be limited to, scattered site and congregate environments; ”wet”, “damp” and “dry” housing; and available accommodation for family members, children, and pets. AACP also believes that "Housing First" may be preferable for many, but not all, individuals.
The attached position paper describes in detail how to accomplish these aims by:
1. Identifying key philosophic principles for planning and providing housing supports to persons with SMI,
2. Establishing general guidelines for the types of housing options that should be available in any system of care,
3. Suggesting methodology for planning these options to meet individual needs.
Please reference the associated position paper for more information about implementing this position