HAIL publishes annual report for 2022
Housing Association for Integrated Living (HAIL), the specialist mental health housing association, recorded its highest ever figure in 2022 for the number of people supported by the organisation.
589 people were supported by HAIL’s mental health tenancy sustainment services last year. The figures will be released today (28.08.23) in the organisation’s annual report for 2022.
HAIL’s mental health tenancy sustainment services are provided to their own tenants and also to people living in private rented accommodation, local authority and social housing who have a mental health diagnosis and need support sustaining their tenancy.
Support workers from HAIL help their clients maintain their tenancies and live independently by providing professional support on developing mental health recovery plans, household and budget management, pursuing employment and education opportunities and maintaining links with family and friends.
In 2022, 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 today, HAIL CEO Martina Smith, said: “We are delighted that 2022 represented another year of significant growth for HAIL. We reached our highest ever number of clients and continued to record strong tenancy sustainment rates.
“We primarily support people who have enduring mental health difficulties such as bipolar disorder, schizophrenia and depression. Our clients are generally referred to us by their HSE mental health team or local authority and often have experience of being in hospital for prolonged periods of time or in homeless services. The work we do helps avoid a return to homelessness or hospitalisation by supporting people develop the skills needed to live independently in their home.
“We are keen to build on our growth by expanding our support services and growing our housing stock in communities across Ireland to enable us to support more people. To help us to do this, we are calling on the Government to provide more sustainable funding for mental health tenancy sustainment services in the upcoming budget.”
Martina Smith, added: “We provide a vital service to the State in helping to address housing challenges for people with mental health difficulties by providing secure homes and tenancy sustainment services. A more sustainable funding structure would facilitate our growth and help us reach more people.”
Delivering more homes
Last year, HAIL increased its housing stock to 452 by providing an additional 29 new homes.
HAIL is aiming to provide more homes this year to help meet demand for its housing and support services. According to The Housing Agency’s Summary of Social Housing Assessments 2022, mental health was the sixth highest need for social housing last year, highest amongst all the disability areas.
Martina Smith, added: “While we are meeting our development targets, we are eager to provide more homes for the people we support. We see every day through our work, the truly transformative difference having a place to call home makes for people.
“We are actively seeking partnership opportunities with local authorities, estate agents and property developers to acquire more homes. In particular, we are seeking one-bedroom unit apartments, as this tends to be the most suitable form of accommodation for the people we support.
“We would encourage anyone in the housing sector who is keen to support our growth programme to discuss opportunities with us. Providing more homes is key to our work.”
HAIL’s annual report for 2022 is available to download here.
ENDS