1. Housing First & Deinstitutionalisation:
“My Home My Choice”

2. My Home My Choice
The Governments “A vision for change” prioritises the need for maximum recovery from mental illness in a way which can achieve meaningful integration and participation in community life (Vision for change 2006)
In 2012 the My Home My Choice project was established by Focus Ireland in collaboration with Kildare Co Co and the HSE to target individuals with diagnosed mental health difficulties who were assessed as having a housing need and expressed a desire to live independently in their community.

3. Referral Criteria
Individuals who have been assessed as having a housing need
Individuals must be attached to the community mental health team.
Individuals have expressed a desire to live independently in their own communities

4. Approach Operate from a case management approach
Integrate accommodation with a tailored, person centred support service
Post tenancy support

5. What informs our work Areas to consider pre settlement:
Experience of paying bills
Wellness recovery plans
Isolation
Local supports available
Willingness to engage in support planning with FI support staff.

6. Observations Availability of appropriate properties in required areas.
Rent caps
Unwillingness of landlords to accept tenants on rent allowance
Involvement of Focus Ireland accommodation finder: negotiating with landlords
FI support staff remaining involved for up to one year (or more if needed)

7. Sustaining a home Home visits Budgeting Links to community services
Emotional support
Planning for wellness recovery.

8. Profile of customers

9. Profile of customers

10. Outcomes - Housing 71 households referred to the service since 2012
26 of these deemed to be unsuitable
16 rolling caseload at any one time – target is 12 households per year.
38 tenancies secured to date
5 households currently awaiting accommodation.
1 household has returned to homelessness.

11. Overall outcomes Reduction in reliance in mental health services
Reduction in in patient hospital stays (reduction in cost to the state)
Wellness recovery, coping skills and knowledge improved
Return to education / employment
Improvement in household budgeting and management skills

12. Thank you