This response focuses primarily on benefits aspects of the green paper. A decent home is a basic need for everyone and of utmost importance to people with mental health problems. Exclusion experienced by people with mental health problems includes being harassed and abused in the street or at home and being subject to organised campaigns opposing the development of a new mental health service or supported housing project. Vulnerable people with severe mental health problems are often surviving in unsuitable housing, eg private short-term lets in deprived areas, trapped in a downward spiral. Many homeless people experience mental distress and have high rates of suicide.
Housing crises can result from or precipitate mental health crises.
Support Much will depend on the successful implementation of Supporting People . While the exercise that is underway to establish costs of current provision is essential we believe that further funding should be built into the new grant to take account of these factors and encourage innovation while protecting the security of existing housing benefit recipients in supported housing. There is also a risk that too tight a cap on the grants will mean people with low support needs lose out and a key aim of Supporting People is undermined. Support services need to be able to work preventively, to minimise the risk of crises and loss of housing. Housing However important support is, the person with mental health problems needs housing that it is possible to be well in, that is safe and of which they can feel secure.