There are a number of services available for people with mental health difficulties who need help finding somewhere suitable to live or who need to live in supported accommodation.

Finding Somewhere to Live

The Health and Housing Needs Team tel: 0114 273 5522 is based within Housing Solutions (Sheffield City Council) and provides a service to people who are either:

• Detained in hospital under the Mental Health Act 1983 and have no accommodation to return to, OR
• Are discharged into a temporary address as an interim measure, OR
• Have significant mental health problems that are being caused or exacerbated by their current housing situation and this can be resolved by urgent re-housing.

The team recognises that people with mental health difficulties may need to be housed sensitively in areas where appropriate accommodation and support has been identified. They also aim to prevent unplanned hospital discharge into homelessness.

Housing Solutions tel: 0114 273 5406 / 273 5142 and out of hours 0114 244 2441 finds accommodation for people who are homeless and who meet the legal criteria for re-housing. Even if someone does not meet the criteria for permanent accommodation the Council may have to provide temporary accommodation whilst they look at the case, or provide help in finding accommodation.

Floating Support

Floating support is support provided for people living in their own home. There are a number of different types of floating support scheme - some work with people who already have a home whilst others provide the accommodation too. Floating support can be short or longer-term with the aim of preventing crises or helping someone settle into a new home. This might be after a period in hospital or in supported housing. Floating support services are very flexible and the support can be increased or decreased in intensity as required.
Some floating support services are specifically for people with mental heath difficulties.

Short-term Supported Housing

This is temporary accommodation (usually up to 2 years) which either has staff based on the premises or who regularly visit. The level of support is higher than that provided by floating support services but is not normally 24-hour. Short-term supported housing can help people experiencing crisis and can often prevent hospital admission. It is also helpful for people who need a period of higher support before moving into more independent accommodation. These might be people who have been discharged from hospital or who have been homeless.

Longer-term Supported Housing

Longer-term supported housing schemes offer accommodation for at least 2 years – some are significantly longer. Support is regular and continuing though not necessarily at a high level. Accommodation may be shared or self contained.

Residential and Nursing Care

This is for those with higher support needs who cannot look after themselves within a supported tenancy. Support and care is 24-hour and staff are based on the site.

Diversity

Some accommodation services are provided for specific groups for example women, people from specific black or minority ethnic communities and refugees.

See the Vulnerable People’s Task Group database of agencies offering support and accommodation to vulnerable people www.tad-sheffield.org.uk