Effects of Housing Circumstances on Health, Quality of Life and Health Care Use for People with Severe Mental Illness: A Review

Housing is believed to have a great influence on the quality of life for people living with mental health issues. It affects social ties, the ability of people to participate in activities such as employment, and how compliant individuals are with their medical treatments. Affordable housing, however, is limited and many people living with serious mental health issues often end up homeless or marginally housed. Evidence about the impact of housing on the well-being of people with mental health issues is largely anecdotal. In response, researchers set out to gather empirical data to inform housing policy and urban planning.