Homelessness and mental illness
HOMELESSNESS AND MENTAL ILLNESS: THE RELATIONSHIP
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Homelessness and Mental Illness
Introduction
A housing policy can be thought of as the efforts put in by a given government to transform a housing market(s) for the purposes of achieving social objectives. In most cases, a housing policy is meant to ensure that the general population has access to a home that is affordable. For instance, the British Conservative/Liberal Democratic coalition’s housing policy is aimed at increasing the number of affordable housing units; fostering homeownership; making social housing flexible; tackling homelessness (especially for the disadvantaged such as the mentally ill) and making sure that the quality and sustainability of housing units are not compromised. The Scottish government went further by stating that all persons in the country should have a place they can comfortably call a home; that is warm, safe and affordable (Lund 2011 pg. 1- 2). Despite having ambitious housing policies, homelessness still persists in the UK. With this in mind, this paper looks, and evaluates, at how the governments, over the years, have tried in dealing with homelessness and the mentally ill. But first the paper will discuss the relationship between homelessness and mental illness.
Homelessness and Mental Illness: The Relationship It has often been acknowledged that homelessness can lead to mental illness; it has also been acknowledged that mental illness can lead to homelessness. Homeless link (2011), in an independent study, found that about 42% of homeless persons seeking homelessness services suffer some form of mental illnesses. In addition, about 18% of those seeking these services had a personality disorder. This research was limited to England only. From these figures, it can be argued that almost half of all homeless persons in the United Kingdom have some form of
by [Name]
Course name
Tutor’s name
Institution
City/State
Date of submission
Homelessness and Mental Illness
Introduction
A housing policy can be thought of as the efforts put in by a given government to transform a housing market(s) for the purposes of achieving social objectives. In most cases, a housing policy is meant to ensure that the general population has access to a home that is affordable. For instance, the British Conservative/Liberal Democratic coalition’s housing policy is aimed at increasing the number of affordable housing units; fostering homeownership; making social housing flexible; tackling homelessness (especially for the disadvantaged such as the mentally ill) and making sure that the quality and sustainability of housing units are not compromised. The Scottish government went further by stating that all persons in the country should have a place they can comfortably call a home; that is warm, safe and affordable (Lund 2011 pg. 1- 2). Despite having ambitious housing policies, homelessness still persists in the UK. With this in mind, this paper looks, and evaluates, at how the governments, over the years, have tried in dealing with homelessness and the mentally ill. But first the paper will discuss the relationship between homelessness and mental illness.
Homelessness and Mental Illness: The Relationship It has often been acknowledged that homelessness can lead to mental illness; it has also been acknowledged that mental illness can lead to homelessness. Homeless link (2011), in an independent study, found that about 42% of homeless persons seeking homelessness services suffer some form of mental illnesses. In addition, about 18% of those seeking these services had a personality disorder. This research was limited to England only. From these figures, it can be argued that almost half of all homeless persons in the United Kingdom have some form of
References: Communities and Local Government. 2007. An International Review of Homelessness and Social Housing Policy. London Conway J Cowan D & Marsh. 2001. A Two Steps Forward: Housing Policy into the New Millennium. Policy Press Crisis Fitzpatrick, S. and Stephens, M. (2007) An International Review of Homelessness and Social Housing Policy. London: Communities and Local Government. Fitzpatrick, S. and Stephens, M. 2008. The Future of Social Housing. London: Shelter Fitzpatrick, S.; Pleace, N.; Wallace, A Hariott S and Matthews L. 2009. Introducing Affordable Housing. Coventry: Health and dependencies · Hills, J Homeless link. 2009. Policy Briefing: Mental Health. London Homeless link Ian Cole. What future for social housing in England? (People, Place and Policy online 2007) Johnson, R Kemp P et al (2006) ‘Homelessness amongst problem drug users: prevalence, risk factors and trigger events ' Health and Social Care in the Community 14 (4) King, P Lund B. 2011. Understanding Housing Policy. Bristol: Policy Press. Malpass, P Mullins, D. & Murie, A. 2006. Housing Policy in the UK. London: Palgrave Randall G, Britten J, Craig, T Rees S. 2009. Mental Ill Health in the Adult Single Homeless Population. London: CRISIS/PHRU.