More social housing specifically for people living with mental health difficulties is required to help meet demand.

That’s according to Housing Association for Integrated Living (HAIL), the specialist mental health housing association, which was commenting in response to the publication today of the Summary of Social Housing Assessments 2023 by The Housing Agency.

The statistics show there are currently 1,604 people on waiting lists for social housing, who have identified having a mental health diagnosis as the basis for their housing need.

Commenting today, Ciarán Garrett, HAIL Spokesperson, said: “The latest figures from The Housing Agency underline the need for more social housing for people living with mental health difficulties. According to the figures, mental health was the seventh highest need for social housing last year.

“Through our homes and support services, HAIL is playing a key role in supporting people with significant and enduring mental health difficulties to live independently and we are determined to do more. At the start of the year, we launched our new strategic plan, which outlines our plans to provide an additional 300 new homes over the next five years.

“To support us to do this, we are calling on the Government to ensure that 10% of Part V properties are allocated for people with mental health difficulties. These are properties in new build estates which have been allocated for social housing. We see this as an effective measure the Government could implement to increase the supply of social housing for people living with mental health difficulties.”

Ciarán Garrett, added: “HAIL is actively pursuing opportunities to increase our housing stock and we would welcome more partnership opportunities with property developers, estate agents and other approved housing bodies to help us provide more homes for the people we support.”