This research progresses the priority areas identified by the National Mental Health Commission (Commission) and provides evidence about the systemic issues and policy levers that need to be addressed to provide more and better housing and more and better services for people with lived experience with mental ill health.

A review of the evidence on housing and mental health identified the following key issues:

• there is a lack of affordable, safe and appropriate housing for people with lived experience of mental ill health
• secure tenure allows people to focus on mental health treatment and rehabilitation
• integrated programs addressing housing and mental health are effective but do not meet demand for these services
• discharge from institutions poses significant risks for homelessness and mental health
• housing, homelessness and mental health are interrelated
• the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) is reshaping the mental health system
• there is a mental health service provision gap under the NDIS
• housing, homelessness and mental health are separate policy systems with little integration, which contributes to poor housing and health outcomes for people with lived experience of mental ill health.