FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Wendy Brennan, MS

SAFE, AFFORDABLE HOUSING IS ESSENTIAL

"The lack of decent, safe, affordable and integrated housing is one of the most significant barriers to full participation in community life for people with serious mental illnesses. Today, millions of people with serious mental illnesses lack affordable housing that meets their needs." The President's New Freedom Commission on Mental Health Final Report (2003)

This issue of the NAMI-NYC Metro newsletter addresses one of the most critical concerns within themental health community: the lack of appropriate and affordable housing options for people with mental illness.

In 1999, the United States Supreme Court's Olmstead decision ruled that "states are required to place persons with mental disabilities in community settings rather than in institutions when the state's treatment professionals have determined that community placement is appropriate." Seven years later, tens of thousands of New Yorkers with serious mental illness remain inappropriately housed in institutional settings such as adult homes, nursing homes, prisons and jails. Many are still living with aging parents, in substandard housing or, in the worst cases, on the streets.

The housing situation will not improve, however, until more resources are dedicated to the development of new units. Since 1990, New York State and New York City have, through a series of housing agreements know as New York/New York, jointly funded and developed thousands of affordable units for people with serious mental illness. While these units allow many mental health consumers to live safely in the community, most stakeholders also agree that a great deal of the demand remains unmet.

Upcoming Housing Events

To inform the NAMI community about these options and to help consumers and families learn how to access them, NAMI-NYC Metro will hold two housing events this fall. We expect these events to be of great interest to mental health consumers, family members and mental health providers.

On September 14th, we will hold a housing fair focusing on privately funded housing, which will provide information about options in the Northeast and offer attendees the opportunity to speak directly with providers.

On November 1st, we will hold an event on publicly funded housing to offer information about housing programs and services in New York City.

Keep an eye out for more information about both these important events on our website, monthly mailings and email list-serv.

In the meantime, to find out more about what you can do to advocate for better housing, read Vuka Stricevic's article on the New York State Campaign for Mental Health Housing, a statewide effort to increase funding for existing housing and services and to create new housing models to better meet the needs of mental health consumers.

The lack of decent housing in New York is a critical issue in the mental health field, and as advocates and friends, we must continue to ensure that such a vital need is met. Housing that is safe, affordable and appropriate is a major step towards recovery; without it, the possibility for many individuals with mental illness to lead meaningful and productive lives will remain an impossible dream.

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