Supported accommodation opens door to mental health recovery

2019-04-15

A new, purpose-built home in Canberra’s north will allow four individuals with a long term mental illness to live in and belong to a community with support in place to assist their recovery journey.

The home is the first to open as part of a $22.8 million ACT Government accommodation project to assist individuals with mental illness to live independently within the community.

Support will be provided by Canberra Health Services (CHS) mental health teams and a community agency chosen by the residents. Each home will include dedicated space for a support worker.

People who have experienced barriers to leaving hospital, including finding suitable accommodation with support, will benefit from the new homes. In some cases, residents may be re-entering the community after spending long periods of time in hospital.

 “I would like to thank the project teams from both Housing ACT and Canberra Health Services (CHS) who have brought this together,” Minister Rattenbury said.

“I also want to acknowledge the people moving into these homes and wish them the best in their recovery as they take up the assistance this supported accommodation provides to allow them to live independently in the community.”

The project is the result of a collaboration between CHS and the Community Services Directorate.