HAIL reports unprecedented levels of demand in 2023  

HAIL, Ireland’s specialist mental health housing association, has stated that demand for its housing and support services continues to increase and that additional funding is needed to sustain its growth.

The organisation was commenting today (16.09.24) as it released its annual report for 2023. The reports shows that 694 people were supported by the housing association’s mental health tenancy sustainment services last year, which represents a 17% increase on 2022.

HAIL’s mental health tenancy sustainment services support individuals with mental health difficulties in maintaining their tenancy and developing independent living skills, whether they are HAIL tenants or living in private rented accommodation, local authority, or social housing.

In 2023, HAIL recorded a 99% tenancy sustainment rate for its own tenants through these services and a 97% tenancy sustainment rate for those living in non-HAIL accommodation.

Commenting, HAIL CEO Martina Smith, said: “HAIL is playing an essential role in addressing housing challenges for people living with significant and enduring mental health difficulties. The work we do helps people who would often be at risk of homelessness or hospitalisation maintain their tenancy and live independently in their home and community. We are providing a vitally important and cost-effective service to the State.

“However, to sustain the level of services we provide and expand into more communities across Ireland, we need additional funding from the Government. Each year we are seeing demand for our housing and support services increase and we expect this to continue.”

Martina Smith added: “An increase in funding will enable us to grow sustainably and support more people who are living in very difficult and challenging circumstances. We would welcome positive engagement from the Government on this in the upcoming budget.”

Supply of housing for people with mental health difficulties

HAIL is also calling for measures to be introduced to increase the supply of social housing specifically for people living with mental health difficulties.

The housing association currently provides 474 homes and is aiming to provide an additional 300 new homes over the next five years.

Statistics from The Housing Agency show there were over 1,600 people on waiting lists for social housing last year, who identified having a mental health diagnosis as the basis for their housing need.

HAIL wants the Government to ensure that at least 10% of properties in new build developments which have been allocated for social housing, are provided to people living with mental health difficulties.

Martina Smith commented: “This is a practical and effective measure the Government could implement to increase supply. It is challenging for a relatively small, approved housing body like ours to provide homes on the scale we need. To add to this, there is a real shortage of one-bedroom apartments available on the market, which tends to be most suitable form of accommodation for the people we support.

“HAIL recorded a year of unprecedented delivery in 2023. Our work has helped people living with significant and enduring mental health difficulties live independently in their home and community. Support from the Government on our funding and increasing the supply of social housing, would give us the ability to deliver on a bigger scale to help meet the demand for our housing and support services.”

ENDS