This briefing, (from UK) outlines a number of routes that mental health providers and housing associations may wish to explore together to improve quality and reduce costs. A settled home is vital for good mental health. People with mental health problems are far less likely to be homeowners and far more likely to live in unstable environments.
Support with housing can improve the health of individuals and help reduce overall demand for health and social care services. Ensuring service users have a suitable and settled place to live can aid recovery from mental health problems.

Key points from the report include:

• Good housing is critical for good mental health
• No health without mental health (the cross-government mental health outcomes strategy) stresses the importance of housing for mental health
• Without a settled place to live, recovery can be significantly impeded
• Financial pressure increases the need to innovate and deliver services in more cost effective ways
• Addressing housing need within the care pathway can contribute to meeting the QIPP (Quality, Innovation, Productivity and Prevention) challenge
• By working in partnership, mental health providers and housing associations can deliver better outcomes for service users

Taken from:: The UK NHS Mental Health Network .
Download:: Full report Housing and mental health (PDF). NHS Confederation Mental Heath Network, 6 Dec 2011