Innovative new housing for people with a mental illness

15 April 2011

New housing for people with a severe mental illness has been opened in South Yarra, Melbourne.

The Haven Foundation’s new 14 one-bedroom apartments will provide people with mental illness access to stable, long-term housing and vital support services.

Minister for Mental Health Mary Wooldridge, who officially opened the new housing, said one of the major barriers to recovery for people with a mental illness is a lack of affordable and stable housing.

"It is wonderful to see this project bringing together accommodation with support to enable people with a mental illness re-gain their independence and confidence," Ms Wooldridge said.

The Victorian State Government provided $3.2 million to the Haven Foundation to build the apartments. The Prahran Mission will receive $433,600 in recurrent funding to provide mental health home-based support to residents living in the apartments.

The Haven Foundation aims to provide affordable and long-term accommodation and daily living support for disadvantaged people living with a mental illness.

It will facilitate community inclusion, family connectedness, healthy living, education and vocational outcomes for individuals.

The project represents a successful partnership bringing together the Haven Foundation, St Josephs Parish, the Catholic Property Trust, Prahran Mission, Housing Choices Australia and the State Government.

Find out more

For further information about the new housing, visit the Haven Foundation website.