Building the Path to Home
Links to sustainable housing
for people with dual diagnosis
Identifying the most appropriate type housing
This checklist that will help you identify the type of housing that is most appropriate for the person you are working with.
Section 1
Check all statements that apply to the person whom you are supporting.
| The person’s mental health problems (e.g., disturbed thinking, agitation, suicidal thoughts) are usually the primary reason that he or she needs support. | |
| The person needs help to manage medication | |
| The person needs some help and supervision, but does not need 24-hour support or supervision | |
| The person can get around on his or her own, or could learn to do so | |
| The person has good communication skills (can make his or her needs known) | |
| The person knows when he or she is in crisis and will ask for help | |
| The person exhibits appropriate behaviour (e.g., behaviour is not sexually inappropriate, physically aggressive) | |
| The person isn’t a danger to others in the community | |
| The person can cope with tasks of daily living (e.g., use a stove or kettle) | |
| The person can resist actions or suggestions of others that might put the person at risk of legal problems or in physical danger |
Number of items checked __
Section 2
Check all statements that apply to the person whom you are supporting.
| The person has a diagnosed developmental disability | |
| The person has problems related to the developmental disability that are the primary reason that he or she needs support | |
| The person needs help with adaptive functioning and tasks of daily living | |
| The person needs supervision and support all (or most) of the time | |
| The person cannot get around on his or her own | |
| The person may be at risk of harming himself or herself or someone else | |
| The person may behave in ways that disturb others | |
| The person may have trouble resisting actions or suggestions of others that might put the person at risk of legal problems or in physical danger | |
| The person has lived, or attended programs, with people who have developmental disabilities and has fit in well |
Number of items checked __
Section 3
Check all statements that apply to the person whom you are supporting.
| The person does not need more than one hour a day of supervision to manage his or her mental health issues | |
| The person does not need more than one hour a day of supervision to manage problems related to developmental disability | |
| The person can learn the skills that would allow him or her to live independently | |
| The person can travel around the city on his or her own | |
| The person has good communication skills | |
| The person understands when he or she is at risk of a crisis and will ask for help | |
| The person demonstrates good judgment with regard to his or her personal safety; can cope with potential hazards in his or her living space (e.g., stove, kettle) | |
| The person can manage, or can learn to manage, medications independently | |
| The person is not a safety risk to the community |
Number of items checked __
Section 4
Compare the totals for each section.
If the Section 1 total is the highest, you will probably want to start by exploring housing options in the mental health sector.
If the Section 2 total is the highest, you will probably want to start by exploring housing options in the developmental services sector.
If the Section 3 total is the highest, you can look at generic social housing options.
Support checklist
Check all statements that apply to the person whom you are supporting.
| The person has a community worker or case manager who helps with monitoring supports | |
| The person has an up-to-date individual support and crisis plan | |
| The person has a doctor who will prescribe and monitor psychiatric medications (if medication is necessary) | |
| The person has an informal network in the community (e.g., friends, family, community groups) | |
| The person has some meaningful daytime activities | |
| The person has a regular source of income (including money from income support programs) |
Number of items checked __
If the total is less than four, there are probably gaps in the person’s supports that may make it hard for him or her to find, and keep, housing. You will need to develop a plan to address the gaps.
Last updated:
Friday, November 2, 2007 5:25 PM
DISCLAIMER: Information on this site is not to be used for diagnosis, treatment or referral services and CAMH does not provide diagnostic, treatment or referral services through the Internet. Individuals should contact their personal physician, and/or their local addiction or mental health agency for further information.