$20M pledge for specialist mental health housing

The Labor Party will invest $20M over two years to establish three sites for housing with mental health support in NSW, the first to be located on the Central Coast, if elected to government on March 25.

The special housing developments will provide people with mental illness and psychological disability access to stable, long-term housing and vital support services and will run in conjunction with the NDIS.

They will be delivered in partnership with The Haven Foundation with the Central Coast development to include 16 self-contained units each with a kitchen, bathroom, bedroom, living room and laundry facilities.

There will be 24/7 support from onsite staff with the appropriate skills.

The Haven Foundation, a subsidiary of mental health service provider Mind Australia, provides long-term housing, care and support for people living with severe and enduring mental illness and disability.

It currently has multiple sites in Victoria and will soon open one in South Australia.

Executive Director Housing Strategy Mark Heeney said Haven residences reduce hospitalisations and homelessness for people with significant mental health challenges.

“These residences enable people with significant longterm mental health issues to lead successful and fulfilling lives in the community,” he said.

Heeney said each unit would have a private outdoor area with community spaces, offering workshops and activities, also included in the development.

The Labor Party says its audit of government land will identify appropriate sites for the centres with the properties to remain in public hands.

Tenant management and support will be provided by the Haven Foundation.

Member for Gosford Liesl Tesch said NSW is in a housing and rental crisis, with the Central Coast at the epicentre of this crisis.

“It is often the most vulnerable – such as those living with severe mental illness – who find it the most difficult to secure stable housing,” she said.

“(This) investment is tailored to the needs of those on the Central Coast.

“That means delivering more services and care to support people at every stage of living with an illness or disability.”

The move builds on Labor’s plans to address housing supply and affordability and strengthen responses to mental health.

Shadow Minister for Housing