Nearly 40% of homeless are mentally unwell

UP TO 40% of homeless people suffer mental ill-health, locking them into a cycle of homelessness and resulting in imprisonment for some.

According to a survey by the Homeless Agency, since many homeless people suffered from eccentric behaviour or a personality disorder, they did not fit into the medical model of psychiatric treatment and therefore did not receive treatment.

"Their behaviour, which is often public, leads to them being imprisoned for short periods, with their lives becoming a revolving door between prison and the streets," the survey says.

The survey also found the gap between rent allowance and affordability in private rented accommodation in Dublin was contributing to homelessness.

The shortage of transitional housing, for which there is a two-year waiting list, and the shortage of supported housing with links to community mental health services, were also contributing to the cycle of homelessness and mental ill-health.

Ironically, the Government's policy of transferring mentally ill patients from institutions into the community has backfired in relation to the homeless.

"With the closure of psychiatric institutions many people who would have found a place of asylum in them are struggling to find accommodation, with some ending up on the streets or living long-term (and inappropriately) in hostels for people who are homeless."

The survey found that local authorities tended to place the homeless in less savoury areas with a risk of intimidation because of a shortage of single lettings in more sought-after areas.

Patients in the Central Mental Hospital in Dundrum found it particularly difficult to access any form of accommodation in either homeless or housing sectors because of the 'Central Mental Hospital' label.

Voluntary housing associations, which provide similar tenancies to local authorities in terms of security and affordability, were the most favoured option of housing, particularly those with housing management and social supports, but these have long waiting lists.

Meanwhile, a separate survey by Focus Ireland found that six out of 10 people blamed growing homelessness and the housing crisis on Government inaction.

Focus Ireland chief executive Declan Jones said the number of homeless people had continued to rise in the final year of a three-year Government homeless strategy.

In an effort to force the Government to address the issue, Focus Ireland is urging people to support its Right to a Home Campaign, which focuses on the need to legislate for a right to housing and the need for the Government to cut the record housing waiting list of 48,413 households about 140,000 people.

For more details on the Focus Ireland campaign, log onto www.focusireland.org.

Meanwhile, the Homeless Agency will outline its findings at a seminar today in Parkgate Hall, Conyngham Road, Dublin, 10am-1pm.