Homelife’s Ashbrow Heights
“I don’t think the importance of a safe and stable environment can be overstated. In my own case it has been essential.” Tenant
“Housing and mental health are often linked. Poor mental health can make it harder to cope with housing problems, while being homeless or having housing problems can make a person’s mental health worse. The most common housing problems reported are affordability and disrepair. Shelter UK’s research demonstrates the links that exist between housing and health, with housing problems creating a negative impact on the budget of another public policy area, which is already under pressure.“ Shelter UK
Good quality housing is a fundamentally key factor in people’s mental health. People with housing problems are at greater risk of mental health problems and people with existing mental health conditions require good quality housing options. Good-quality, affordable and safe housing is a vital component in good mental health, as well as supporting those with existing mental health conditions.
People with mental health conditions are:
• One and a half times more likely to live in rented housing
• More likely to experience instability with regards to tenancy agreements
• Twice as likely as those without mental health problems to be unhappy with their housing
• Four times as likely to say that it makes their health worse
As a consequence of these diverse needs, housing solutions for people with mental health problems must be equally diverse. This requires taking account of the different type of housing that people need, and how that changes over time.
We developed Ashbrow Heights to be affordable, safe and secure, and most importantly good quality housing. Ashbrow Heights was designed to provide 9 self-contained apartments with 3 apartments on each floor. Within the property the layout is designed so that each person has only one neighbouring apartment. There is also accessible housing on the ground floor. Quite often people see disability in categories and don’t appreciate that some people have hidden disabilities or more than one condition. Sam Renke actress and disability activist recently spoke of having a mental health condition as well as being a wheelchair user.
It was important to us that Ashbrow Heights mirrored the existing housing in the area and so the property was built in stone to blend in with neighbouring Yorkshire homes. The agreement that we have with a Registered Housing Provider means that people living in our housing will be given a long-assured tenancy agreement which will provide them with stability.
Our main aim is for our housing to be aspirational and for the quality to enhance a person’s life. It is all about value and worth, and recognising that mental health can affect anyone at anytime throughout their lives. Good quality housing is a fundamentally key factor in people’s mental health.