Integrating Mental Health & Housing Services for Better and More Fulfilling Lives

This initiative in Sussex has seen the integrated Housing Specialist Service support people facing homelessness or housing crises to navigate complex housing and health systems.

A six-month evaluation, conducted by the University of Stirling, of the Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust Housing Team based in adult mental health services as part of Sussex's Mental Health and Housing Strategy (opens new window), highlighted several benefits that housing interventions bring to NHS service users and staff.

The evaluation reports that 69 patients found a 60% reduction in urgent care use after receiving housing interventions, evidence that stable housing is key to recovery and helps reduce pressures on health and social care. In particular, it found:

• The right place to live is a foundation for recovery: Secure housing improves stability, wellbeing, and mental health outcomes
• It reduces pressure on NHS services: Early housing intervention cuts unnecessary use of inpatient and emergency care, improving patient flow
• It supports staff wellbeing and effectiveness: Ready access to housing expertise allows clinical teams to focus on care, while ensuring people get practical help
• Healthcare settings are ideal for housing support: Embedding housing specialists builds trust and allows for truly person-centred interventions.