Housing options for young people living with mental illness

How housing affects mental health

Housing and mental health are often linked for all kinds of reasons. For instance, poor mental health can make it harder to cope with housing problems, and housing problems can then in turn make your mental health worse.

When it comes to housing and mental health, money problems are often a major source of worry. So are other practical problems to do with your living conditions, particularly if they are poor. And then there are relationship problems that always seem worse when you’re trying to deal with all the practical things.

Money problems are always about not having enough – to pay your rent, or keep up mortgage payments. And then there are the bills for heating, cooking, food and travel.

With mental health problems you may find it hard to get or hold down a job, which will undermine your ability to handle financial matters.

This will mean you’re more likely than not to find yourself living in unsafe or overcrowded housing and subject to antisocial behaviour, which can leave you feeling stressed, anxious or depressed.

If you don’t have access to cooking or proper washing facilities, your health could suffer and your self-esteem along with it.

Certain mental health problems may make it difficult for you to properly clean and maintain the place you live in, especially if it’s damp, mouldy or cold.

On top of everything else, it’s almost inevitable that you’ll have sleep problems, which also affect your mental health.

What to consider when choosing housing

First, consider what kind of support you need to live – for instance can you live independently, do you need supported accommodation, or to live with or be close to family? Then you need to consider what are the different types of housing available in your area, and how you’ll need to pay for your housing.

What are the different types of housing?

Independent living

This involves living on your own, with or without support and being able to mostly take care of yourself. It will also mean managing to pay rent, utility bills and council tax on time.

Independent living options are:

Renting from a council, from a housing association, renting privately, owning your own home, or sharing your accommodation with other people. You may get support to live independently from your partner, family and friends, your NHS mental health team, social services or charities.

Council housing

You may be able to rent a property from your council. Look on your local council’s website or contact them directly. You can find out who your local council is here: www.gov.uk/find-local-council.

If you qualify for council housing in your area, you usually have to join a waiting list. You can ask your council how long you will have to wait.

You can find out more about council housing at GOV.UK.

Housing association housing

You might be able to rent a property from a housing association, which is similar to a council house for people on a low income or needing extra support. Apply direct to a housing association, or through your local council.

You can apply to more than one housing association at a time and you’ll be put on a waiting list. Find out more about housing associations at GOV.UK.

Renting privately

You can look for private housing to rent through estate agents, letting agencies or by searching online.

You might find the following guides helpful:

Shelter’s Private renting.

Citizens Advice Finding a home to rent

Supported housing for adults living with mental illness

This is housing with support services designed to help people with mental illness to live as independently as possible.

Living independently means being able to take care of yourself most of the time. Supported housing schemes are usually run by local authorities, housing associations or voluntary groups, though you may have to wait to get supported housing after applying for it.

If you feel that supported housing may benefit you, then you can talk to people involved with your care.

There are different types of supported housing which give different levels of support.

Group homes

Supported housing usually means living in a block or group of flats or houses with other people, often people with similar support needs to you.

Accommodation is usually self-contained, but you may share common areas such as a lounge, utilities and a garden.

You can live independently, but there should be 24-hour emergency support available if you need it, often onsite. You may live in supported housing and still get help from social care and NHS mental health teams.

Shared Lives schemes

With a Shared Lives scheme, you’re matched with an approved carer. You’ll either live with the person who cares for you or visit them regularly for support. Your carer is registered with the scheme, and support can be short term or long term depending on your needs.

Short-stay hostels

Short-stay hostels offer housing on a temporary basis, usually for people who are homeless. You may be placed in a hostel while you wait for more permanent housing.

Hostels often help you develop the skills you need to live independently. You might get your own room, but if you arrive in an emergency you may have to share. Each hostel offers a different level of support, and you may be assigned a support worker. You can still get help from an NHS mental health team or social services while living in a hostel.

You can find hostels in your area through your local authority. You’ll find contact details for your local authority here, or you could ask your care coordinator, if you have one. You can also search the Homeless Link website.

How to get supported housing

Contact the housing department at your local council. You can find contact details for your local authority, or search for supported housing. This website will redirect you to the relevant page on your local authority’s website.