Housing Reform: A Better Deal For The Mentally Vulnerable?

The purpose of this article is to consider the current proposals for housing reform, set out in the Law Commission's Report, Renting Homes. This report follows a period of wide consultation, and is itself an interim measure, before the recommendations and draft Bill are produced in a Final Report. The proposals, while intended to be in final form, are subject to possible alterations necessitated by translating them into a legislative format. It is not the authors' intention to provide an exhaustive review of the individual proposals, but rather to consider how major elements of the proposed changes will affect housing provision for mentally vulnerable individuals, from the perspective of charities who are charged with or manage such housing provision. Nor is the intent to consider all groups of “vulnerable� individuals. For current purposes, the term “mentally vulnerable� comprises those suffering from clinically recognised mental disorders, such as schizophrenia; those with a form of organic brain malfunction, such as dementia or brain damage following injury; and those with a learning difficulty. These individuals face particular housing needs for a variety of reasons. Those with mental disorders are increasingly cared for within the community after the Community Care Policy was enthusiastically embraced in the 1980s, while the question of how to provide the most appropriate accommodation for those with organic brain difficulties is becoming increasingly problematic as the population ages and the incidence of organic brain difficulties increases. Clearly, *Conv. 208 with appropriate care and support such individuals are, very often, able to manage in the community, yet their needs may dictate the type of accommodation which is suitable for them. Housing within the mainstream system may not be appropriate for such individuals, as it does not offer the additional support, which is frequently required. Charities, and other bodies, play a vital role in filling the housing gaps for these particular groups.