Stable housing lays the foundation for improved mental health

For those affected by social injustices, including survivors of domestic violence and destitute migrants, poor mental health and the effects of trauma are significant challenges they face when rebuilding their lives.

This Mental Health Awareness Week, we are highlighting how safe and stable housing provides a crucial foundation that can improve outcomes for those in need. 

Through pilot projects, in collaboration with our fantastic partners, we have witnessed the transformative effects of having a secure home and the right support. Some examples are shared below, demonstrating the observable links between stable housing and improved mental wellbeing. 

Move On Up  

Many of the young adult carers who came to the Move On Up project, in partnership with Quaker Social Action, faced significant mental health challenges due to the strain of caregiving from a young age. Research shows that 44% of young adult carers report that they ‘usually’ or ‘always’ feel stressed because of their caring role, highlighting the impact of this responsibility.  

Learnings from this project indicate that having a safe place away from their family home, alongside the tailored emotional and practical support provided by QSA support workers, gave young carers the respite they needed to focus on their own lives. Around two-thirds of tenants reported a more positive situation during their time with the project, including improved mental health, familial relationships and employment outcomes.  

One Move On Up participant stated: "The support has made a massive difference. I struggle with my mental health, but they listen and help me. They have helped me move back with my family. They've even sorted out a bed and stuff, and a moving van. My room is really nice. I think it's all going to be much better now."  

NRPF Project  

In collaboration with Praxis, the NRPF project housed destitute migrants with No Resource to Public Funds – a condition that restricts migrants from accessing basic social security benefits and social housing, leaving them at risk of homelessness. 

The evaluation of this project captured a range of social and emotional benefits for the families and single people supported by the project. For many, the mutual support from living in shared living arrangements and participating in group support activities played a crucial role in fostering friendships and peer support. During their time with the project, many individuals described feeling newfound confidence, contributing to their long-term resilience and ability to move forward. 

“Now I’m on the right path I’ve got a place so now I am waiting for baby to get to a day centre and I can do something for myself:  go to college or something and better myself and get a job.  Before I was just waiting and crossing my fingers for God to answer me.” – NRPF project resident.  

A key component to improving residents' wellbeing was the expert legal assistance Praxis staff provided to help individuals negative their immigration applications. On average, families received a decision on their status within one year, compared to 522 days for those in other situations.

Residents noted how this legal support helped alleviate their worries: “To be quite honest, I can close my eyes and not worry. They have a great success rate. Their legal team also know what they’re doing.” 

Rhea 

With Solace Women's Aid, the Rhea project provided self-contained housing for survivors of domestic abuse who find refuge settings unsuitable. The final evaluation of the project revealed that this model offers distinct advantages over traditional refuge approaches by creating a stable and secure environment that helps break cycles of abuse. Over two-thirds of service users reported feeling safer and more confident in their new homes.  

Women also shared that their time with the project enhanced their emotional and psychological wellbeing, helping them rekindle their hope and dreams for the future. 

One Rhea resident expressed: "I feel so powerful now, so much stronger. I think a lot of it is that I was really listened to for the first time in my life, it feels great." 

Amari  

Similarly, women fleeing trafficking and sexual exploitation supported by the Amari project – also piloted in collaboration with Solace Women's Aid – reported improvements to their wellbeing. Without safe housing, women recovering from trafficking are in a transitional state between exploitation and regaining autonomy, putting them at risk of homelessness or being re-trafficked.  

By creating a settled environment that offers tailored support for trauma recovery, most women supported by Amari experienced a newfound sense of stability, moving away from their former lifestyles. This improved women’s wellbeing, health and overall quality of life, enabling them to look towards the future. 

One Amari resident remarked: "Before I would tell myself everything is going to be fine but it was just something that I told myself to get through things, whereas now I tell myself that and I know it, I really know it". 

These stories shared by project beneficiaries highlight the profound impact that secure housing and personalised support can have on mental wellbeing, equipping individuals with the skills to move forward in their lives.