Decent, safe and affordable housing is fundamental for positive mental health and well-being. Housing should be available and accessible to all – families, singles, people from different socio-economic backgrounds and those with mental health problems. Housing is one of the first steps for creating change in the lives of people dealing with mental illness. A comfortable and respectable living space speeds the recovery process while also restoring one’s dignity.
There are a number of supportive housing options available for people with mental illnesses. These include supported housing, group homes, shared living or accommodations, apartment settings, subsidized housing and transitional housing. Supported housing, for example, generally means the resident lives independently but may have someone (i.e. health care practitioner) regularly check on their well-being. Conversely, if someone requires more personal care, they may find comfort in a setting where health care professionals are available on site. Some agencies and organizations provide safe houses, designed to provide short-term accommodation for people in crisis.
Health care providers and various agencies and community organizations can help assess and determine the best housing alternatives for specific individuals. They may also provide further assistance by giving referrals to other resources and additional information.
Helpful Resources
The Alberta ministry of Seniors and Community Supports offers information about housing support programs. This includes affordable housing targeted to low-income singles, families, seniors and individuals with special needs to provide them access to adequate, safe and stable accommodation.
Information Line: (780) 415-9950
The Canadian Mental Health Association discusses various position statements about housing issues and provides some programs and services in this area. You can access numerous listings about the topic by keying in “housing supports” in the search box.
Municipal Affairs and Housing has assembled the Alberta Affordable Housing Task Force to find innovative and practical ways to make affordable housing more accessible and available to Albertans. The task force brings together municipalities, business and community leaders, industry associations, political parties and the non-profit sector to provide expertise and knowledge in housing matters. Also posted on the website is a discussion guide that names personal crisis, mental health and addictions as contributing factors to the homelessness problem.