New housing concept for semi-independent living

As part of the European Year dedicated to Volunteering, the Housing Authority is embarking on a new concept – housing with care – to encourage semi-independent living.

The authority’s priorities are: youth at risk, the homeless, mental health sufferers, victims of domestic violence and people with disability

The main aim of this concept is to sustain a person’s ability to live as independently as possible, either in their own home or in accommodation with staff on site.

The Housing Authority is already supporting various NGOs that provide full residential care through refurbishment and/or installation of lifts. It also helps individuals with mental health problems, those suffering domestic violence and people with disability by allocating units, giving rent subsidy or refurbishing grants for units rented for this scope. In 2011, it supported around 17 NGOs, with a budget of over €200,000.

This new type of housing with care allows residents to retain their privacy and independence within their own self-contained apartment but with access to necessary support to integrate better within the community.

This concept is an attractive choice for those who would like to become independent but are not ready to move out on their own. The integration of these people in the community is a step forward, ending the dependent life in residential care, and is a step closer towards fully independent living.

Furthermore, through this initiative, the limited space available in shelter homes or institutions can be maximised and utilised by those who are unable to live independently rather than using residential care to support people who are able to live independently if given the necessary support to make the transition.

This will also be cost-effective in operating shelter homes, as available funds will be targeted towards services according to individuals’ needs. Those suffering mental health problems, the homeless, young people leaving care, adults or children victims of domestic violence and people with disability might need supported housing for a variety of reasons.

Person-centred approach

The reality of these reasons tends to have a detrimental effect on their lives, such as unemployment, poverty and housing and social exclusion. If these people are able to live independently, they should not remain dependent on state care; therefore it is important to consider an integrated approach to their problems, which will help them move on and start their own life outside care.

The authority will focus more on assistance related to semi-independent living to bridge the gap between residential care and living an independent life for different target groups.

There seems to be a gap in this sector, particularly for youth leaving care or youth at risk, and homeless people. The authority’s main objective is to enhance accessibility to adequate housing for vulnerable people, while securing their prospects for a better quality of life.

A person-centred approach is what makes semi-independent housing successful. Service providers will be able to identify the needs of the service user and devise a plan to determine the length of transition required from their previous abode and the ‘move on’ phase to independent living.

This assessment depends largely on their acquired skills, disability and behaviour. Some people might prove to be more challenging than others; therefore tailor-made and comprehensive packages of support that respond to their needs, aspirations and choices over time are necessary for them to be able to manage the change from residential care to semi-independent living to fully independent living.

The authority’s areas of priority are: youth at risk, the homeless, mental health sufferers, victims of domestic violence and people with disability.

Supportive housing for youth leaving institutional care will help them embark on a new independent life rather than ending up within the social system with a lifetime dependence on institutions.

These people face serious challenges, as they need to adapt to living alone in the outside world. Through semi-independent living housing, they can live in separate apartments, yet have mentors and support workers helping them to integrate with others and develop networking and independent skills.

This ‘supervised housing’ will give them a taste of independent living while being helped to overcome day to day difficulties and embark on new challenges in their lives.

Homelessness is usually associated with lack of suitable accommodation; however, there is more to it than the physical aspect. Homeless people tend to experience social and psychological problems that need to be tackled a priori rather than trying to solve the problem by giving them shelter.

Supportive housing induces hope for a better life for people who end up without a home. Necessary support will be provided to the homeless in their transition to permanent housing, ensuring they can gain the necessary skills to lead an independent life, particularly focusing on how they can maintain their new accommodation.

Semi-independent living for mental health sufferers offers apartments where tenants have a bedroom, and a communal lounge and kitchen. People benefitting from this scheme are helped and involved in the management of their homes to maintain their property and living environment. Ongoing support to facilitate the holistic integration in the community is important.

Supportive semi-independent housing for victims of domestic violence, most of whom are women, can be a solution, as they are empowered to be able to decide which direction they want their lives and that of their children’s to take.

These women are given the necessary support and emotional and practical empowerment to be able to rebuild their lives and come forward. Second stage shelters already exist; however supportive housing will focus more on providing independent flatlets to women and their children to start from scratch – away from their abusive husband or partner.

People with disability have different needs to other targeted vulnerable groups. Therefore, supportive housing opportunities for this group will be more specific, according to individual needs and disability.

Supportive housing can take the form of small and personalised apartments and houses. These people need support to become more independent and self-sufficient. The units will be adaptable to the disability needs of the individual living under supportive housing to maximise their potential to live an independent life.

The Housing Authority will launch this concept in the coming weeks. For more information, visit www.housingauthority.com.mt or call customer care on 2299 1000 or freephone 8007 2232.