Identifying Housing Needs for Mental health Consumers 

Presentation at Raising the Roof: Meeting the Housing Needs of Mental Health Consumers

By Sherry Bradley, MPH,  MHSA Program Manager

Contra Costa Health Services – Mental Health Division

(925) 957-5150

Email: mhsa@hsd.cccounty.us

Recognizing There Isn’t Enough

The Mental Health Commission Housing Report of 1989, and then revising it in June 1994, identified the lack of adequate, affordable, community housing as one of the most important missing links in the County’s ability to meet the needs of Contra Costa’s Mental Health Consumers

Past Recommendations from the Mental Health Commission

• Survey consumers to ascertain their preferences;
• Develop alternative housing options for adult clients living at home;
• Collaborate with cities, planning commissions and housing developers (to urge/encourage extensive development of affordable housing)
•  Increase access to existing community housing;
• Provide a full range of support services, on-site when necessary, to help maintain people in their own homes in the community;
•  Include more consumers as housing support staff members
•  Help Board and Care Operators to: (a) upgrade their services, and (b) encourage and prepare clients to move on to independent living situations;
• Provide supportive services to persons residing in single room occupancy;
• Retain/expand transitional housing and residential treatment programs;
•  Place emphasis on preserving permanent residences and preventing homelessness;
• Focus on upgrading programming at IMD’s and continuing to develop alternative placements;
• Strengthen the provision of MH Services to the homeless

Fast Forward to 2005

 In 2005, in Response to the Enactment of Proposition 63 – the Mental Health Services Act - Contra Costa County Mental Health Undertook an Extensive Planning Process in Order to Create a Community Supports and Services Plan.

The MHSA Housing Planning Process - 2007 and 2008

 In order to identify local priorities related to the use of housing funds available through MHSA, Contra Costa conducted a stakeholder input process.

 MHSA Housing Program – Stakeholder Input

• Report Rental housing should be prioritized over shared housing; Maintain rents at the lowest possible level;
• A range of unit sizes should be provided to accommodate different size households.
• Where feasible, create one-bedroom units rather than studio apartments.
• Prioritize mixed housing over housing for mental health consumers but allow for consumer dedicated housing as well.
• Locate housing close to public transportation.
•  Design housing to include extra safety features and adequate common space.
• Provide a range of different types of services, located on-site when feasible, including on-call staff for emergencies outside of regular business hours.
•  Locate MHSA Housing Units at locations throughout the County, in particular, Central County.