Ireland’s specialist mental health housing association – HAIL (Housing Association for Integrated Living) – has noted that demand for its housing and support services continues to increase, citing an additional €1m in funding needed to sustain its growth.

HAIL’s annual report for 2023 shows that 694 people were supported by its mental health tenancy sustainment services last year, which represents a 17% increase on 2022. HAIL’s mental health tenancy sustainment services support individuals with mental health difficulties in maintaining their tenancy and developing independent living skills, whether they are HAIL tenants or living in private rented accommodation, local authority, or social housing.

In 2023, HAIL recorded a 99% tenancy sustainment rate for its own tenants through these services and a 97% tenancy sustainment rate for those living in non-HAIL accommodation.

HAIL’s CEO Martina Smith said: “HAIL is playing an essential role in addressing housing challenges for people living with significant and enduring mental health difficulties. The work we do helps people who would often be at risk of homelessness or hospitalisation maintain their tenancy and live independently in their home and community.

“However, to sustain the level of services we provide and expand into more communities across Ireland, we need additional funding from the Government. Each year we are seeing demand for our housing and support services increase and we expect this to continue.”

Smith added that an increase in funding would enable the housing association to grow sustainably and support more people living in very difficult and challenging circumstances. HAIL is also calling for measures to increase the supply of social housing, specifically for people living with mental health difficulties. The housing association currently provides 474 homes and is aiming to provide an additional 300 new homes over the next five years.

HAIL’s 2023 Annual Report is available to download here.