HAIL reports ‘unprecedented’ demand for housing for people with severe mental illness

HAIL chief executive Martina Smith said a secure, high-quality home was a vital foundation for mental health recovery and stability. Picture: Conor McCabe Photography

Specialist housing charity HAIL faced “unprecedented” demand for safe, secure and affordable housing for people with severe mental health difficulties last year, according to its annual report.

The charity also reported growing challenges for people experiencing long-term mental health difficulties, including those living with depression, schizophrenia, anxiety disorders and schizoaffective disorder.

HAIL (Housing Association for Integrated Living) owns and manages almost 486 homes across seven counties, including 26 in Limerick.

Some 71% of its housing is for people with mental health needs.

“Throughout the year, demand for safe, secure and affordable housing remained at unprecedented levels, while the challenges facing those experiencing long-term mental health difficulties continued to grow,” HAIL said on Thursday.

Funding certainty 

HAIL chief executive Martina Smith said a secure, high-quality home was a vital foundation for mental health recovery and stability.

“Providing a key to a front door is only the first step,” she said. She called on the Government to guarantee its funding.

“It is essential that HAIL has funding certainty, so that we can continue to support our tenants and clients,” she said.

She said demand for HAIL's housing and services was growing “in numbers and across multiple local authority areas”.

“With definite funding, we can deliver the homes in our pipeline and provide housing and mental health support to match this rising demand with the necessary supply,” she said.

Support for tenants 

HAIL works closely with HSE mental health services, hospital psychiatric units and community-based supports.

Its staff also support people living in private rented accommodation, local authority housing and other settings.

The annual report shows that HAIL's income included a HSE grant of €1,601,638, as well as rental income.

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