The challenges of starting a supportive housing program

CrossCurrents

As described by the British Columbia Best Practices in Mental Health Housing Working Group Report on Housing, supported housing is accommodation, with a range of support, for a person able to live independently. Services are available on an as-needed basis instead of being offered in a “one size fits all” manner. Supported housing emphasizes choice, support that is “de-linked” from housing, non-segregated living situations and the valuing of everyday community roles such as tenant and neighbour.

The Dream Team, a Toronto-based advocacy group, many of whose members are in supported housing or have been homeless, highlights various benefits of supported housing:

The existence of supportive housing and community mental health services has been shown to reduce hospitalization by up to 80%.
Research has demonstrated that satisfactory housing promotes community involvement for persons with serious mental health issues.
Supportive housing reduces hospital stays, emergency service utilization, landlord abuse and discrimination.
More than 20 people can be maintained in supportive housing for the cost of one psychiatric hospital stay.
People who are homeless actually cost the system more than those living in supportive housing (e.g., medical costs). Even hostels are 40%–50% more expensive per night than supportive housing.