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Social housing and mental health
If you have mental health problems, your local council may give you a higher priority for housing. But there are certain criteria you'll need to meet. And there's a big demand for social housing.
This page covers:
- What is social housing?
- Can I get social housing because of my mental health problems?
- How do councils decide who has priority for social housing?
- How do I challenge a local council's decision?
- I feel unsafe in my home – will the council rehouse me?
- My neighbours' behaviour is making my mental health worse. What can I do?
- I don't think my housing is suitable for me. Will the council rehouse me?
This page is part of our guide to:
I don't think the importance of a safe and stable environment can be overstated. In my own case it has been essential.
What is social housing?
Social housing is housing provided by local councils or housing associations. Housing associations are not-for-profit organisations that own, let and manage rented housing.
The rent you pay for social housing is often more affordable than renting from a private landlord. And tenancy agreements last for longer.
You also have more legal protection from eviction. But there's a very high demand for social housing. There are usually long waiting lists, often several years.
Can I get social housing because of my mental health problems?
Your mental health problem may help you get higher priority for social housing. But you'll need to show how your current accommodation is unsuitable. And that moving to a new home will help you.
You'll also need to meet other criteria. For example, most local councils will only consider you if you've lived in the area for a certain period of time. And if your income is below a certain amount.
If you meet these criteria, you may have higher priority for housing. But you may still have to wait a long time for suitable accommodation to become available.
How do councils decide who has priority for social housing?
By law, councils must have a 'housing allocation scheme'. These are the rules the council must follow to decide who gets priority on the waiting list for social housing.
You should be able to find your local council's scheme on its website.
Each council's housing allocation scheme is different. But most will either put you in a priority band or give you a certain number of priority points. These are based on housing need and how urgently the council thinks you need to move.
You're likely to be offered housing sooner if you:
- Are homeless
- Live in cramped conditions
- Have a medical condition made worse by your current home
If your accommodation is making your mental health worse, you must give evidence to the council to support your application. And you must show how moving would help.
You can ask medical or social care professionals supporting you to give you a letter with this information.
How do I challenge a local council's decision?
If you disagree with the number of priority points the council has given you, you can ask for a review. You can also do this if you disagree with your priority band.
The council should give you a reason for its decision. For example, if they place you in a lower priority band because it doesn't think moving would help your health. And they don't think you fall into any other group that gets priority.
You have a right to know how the council reached its decision. You can ask for your housing file and what facts the council considered.
The council should give you a deadline for requesting a review. Usually you'll have to ask for a review within 21 days.
If you do ask for a review, you must put forward new evidence and arguments. Or explain how certain relevant facts haven't been considered. For example, if the council hasn't considered medical evidence about how your housing negatively affects your mental health.
If you have evidence suggesting you urgently need to move, draw attention to this. For example, letters from health and social care professionals.
The review should be conducted by someone different from the person who made the original decision. They should also be more senior.
The council should complete the review within 8 weeks of your request.
You can't usually get legal aid for advice about housing allocations or disputes. But you might be able to if you could be considered homeless.
Judicial reviews
If you still aren't satisfied after the council's review, you can challenge it. This is through a judicial review.
But you must show the council made an error. For example, that the council didn't use the right information. Or didn't consider medical information you submitted.
Delays or failures to make a decision may also be challenged via a judicial review.
If you want to ask for a judicial review, it's best to get legal advice. You could approach your local law centre. Some law centres give free advice and support for housing issues. You can find local law centres on the Law works website.
There's also more information on Shelter's website about challenging decisions in England or challenging decisions in Wales.
I feel unsafe in my home – will the council rehouse me?
The council may rehouse you, but only in exceptional circumstances. For example, if you're living in very bad housing conditions. Or if you're experiencing domestic abuse, or at risk of it.
The law says it's not reasonable to stay in accommodation where you face a risk of domestic abuse. This risk must be from someone you're connected to. And both you and the abuser must be aged 16 or over. If this is the case, the local council must make sure you have alternative accommodation.
If you're being abused, our guide to support options for abuse lists organisations that can help you.
My neighbours' behaviour is making my mental health worse. What can I do?
If your neighbours are behaving in a way that causes you distress, it could be classed as antisocial behaviour. For example, playing loud music or not controlling their pets.
If they're targeting you because of your mental health problems, it could be classed as hate crime or a hate incident. There are things you can do:
- Speak to your neighbour. Explain how their behaviour is affecting you and try to reach a solution. Only do this if you feel safe and comfortable doing so.
- Keep a record. Make a note of the dates and times your neighbour's behaviour distresses you. And what the behaviour is, such as shouting at you or playing loud music. This might feel difficult. But having this information could help if you report their behaviour.
- Talk to their landlord. If your neighbour is renting their home and you know who their landlord is, speak to them. This might be a private landlord, housing association or the council. If it's a local council or housing association, you could look on their website for information about how to report antisocial behaviour.
- Report it to the council. You can do this regardless of whether the person rents or owns their home. The council should have a team that deals with antisocial behaviour in their area.
- Contact the police. You should always do this if your neighbour has broken the law, for example if they've been violent or threatened you. If you don't want to talk to the police, you can ask an independent organisation to report it for you anonymously. These organisations are called 'third party reporting centres'. There's more information about reporting hate crime from True Vision, Victim Support in England and Wales Hate Support Centre. This includes details of third party reporting centres.
Public authorities have a legal duty to stop discrimination, harassment and victimisation, and similar conduct. This means if you report discriminatory behaviour to your local council or social housing landlord, they must take action. Visit our page on the public sector equality duty to learn more.
I don't think my housing is suitable for me. Will the council rehouse me?
The council may agree it's unreasonable for you to stay in your accommodation if:
- You cannot afford to stay in it and it's so expensive you cannot pay for basic essentials
- It's in a bad state of repair
- You're overcrowded
If you can, give the council evidence that your housing is unsuitable. This could help the council make its decision.
For example, you could give letters from medical or social care professionals. These can show how your accommodation is affecting your mental health, and possibly your physical health. For example, due to its cost, disrepair or overcrowding. You could also take photos to show the state of you accommodation.
Requesting adaptations
Living in housing that doesn't meet your needs can affect your mental health. For example, if you are physically disables and can't access parts of your home easily. Or can't use some of its facilities, like the shower or bath.
There are adaptations you can make to help with this.
You must seek your landlord's permission before altering a rented property. Your landlord must consent to works that involve structural changes to their property. But landlords should not unreasonably refuse consent.
If you think your landlord's refusal is unreasonable, the law says they must explain why they refused. This should be in writing.
Social services can do an assessment to see if any adaptations or aids will help you manage your disability.
Disabled Facilities Grants
These are grants to help you pay for work to adapt your home to your disability. They're available in England and Wales, if you meet certain conditions.
Visit the UK government information on disabled facilities grants to learn more. And if you think they may help, you can apply through your local council.
See more on housing and mental health
– Social housing and mental health
Homelessness, housing support and mental health
Housing disrepair and mental health
Published: October 2024
Next review planned: October 2027
References are available on request. If you would like to reproduce any of this information, see our page on permissions and licensing.
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