Housing

Housing and mental health are often linked. Poor mental health can make it harder to cope with housing problems. And being homeless or having problems where you live can make your mental health worse.

Housing problems can affect our mental health in many different ways. But there are some common mental health problems that you may experience if you are struggling with your housing:

If you live somewhere insecure or overcrowded, you might experience stress or anxiety. You may also feel anxious about the cost of your housing, or because of the people you live with.

Some mental health problems can cause feelings of anxiety in situations where you don't feel safe or comfortable, including where you live. Or they might make you feel anxious being around unfamiliar people. This includes social phobia, also known as social anxiety and agoraphobia.

If you live somewhere that is noisy, crowded or uncomfortable, you might experience sleep problems. Feeling stressed or anxious about housing could also affect your sleep. Poor sleep can lead to mental health problems or make existing problems harder to cope with.

You might experience depression or low self-esteem because of housing problems. For example, this may happen if you need to move around a lot, making you feel less secure and affecting your relationships.
Your living situation might make you feel lonely. This might happen if you live alone. Or it may be that you live with people you don't know that well or don't feel comfortable around.

Problems with recreational drugs and alcohol are not mental health problems, but they are often connected. If you struggle with recreational drugs or alcohol, you may also find it difficult to find housing. This could make your mental health problems even harder to cope with.

There may be housing-related problems which are difficult to cope with if you are struggling with your mental health. For example:

Money problems are often connected to housing and mental health. This might include struggling to afford rent, mortgage payments or bills. Or you may be affected by changes to housing-related benefits. Your mental health or housing situation might also mean you find it difficult to work, which could affect your income.

Living with mental health problems can make it harder to cope with any practical difficulties with your housing. This may include keeping on top of bills and letters or dealing with landlords or housing associations.

You may find it difficult to keep up with cleaning and maintaining your living space. This may feel especially hard if you experience certain mental health problems, such as depression, hoarding or OCD.

Poor living conditions, such as a damp, mouldy or cold environment, can cause physical health problems. If you don't have access to cooking or washing facilities, you might find it hard to eat healthily and care for yourself. Experiencing physical health problems can often affect your mental health.

Some housing issues can lead to relationship problems. For example, feeling angry or stressed can cause arguments or make it hard to discuss housing issues. The breakdown of a relationship, such as with a partner or parent, may cause a difficult, stressful living situation.

Support

Calderdale Council

Calderdale Council offer free and confidential advice to anyone who has housing problems, is homeless or threatened with homelessness.

Their advisors can help with:

Rent and mortgage arrears.
Benefits.
Rights of landlords and tenants.
Local housing options.
Possession proceedings.
Relationship breakdown.
Domestic violence and abuse.
Applications for social housing

Phone: 01422 392460

Email: housingsupportreferrals@calderdale.gov.uk

Housing Associations

Abbeyfield

This is a charity for older people that provides housing across the UK and abroad. They offer housing to those aged 55 and over via their website.

Website: Abbeyfield

Accent Housing

These offer both independent rental and Sheltered Housing properties across England. Visit their website to see what they have.

Anchor Housing

These are the largest providers of specialist housing and care for older people in England. Visit their website to see what they have.

Website: Anchor Housing

Calder Valley Community Land Trust

These are a member-led community benefit society with charitable status. They aim to help address and meet housing needs in Calderdale. They have six properties that are advertised via Keychoice when they become vacant.

Website: Calder Valley Community Land Trust
Email: info@caldervalleyclt.org.uk
Address: Unit 23, The Town Hall, St. George's Street, Hebden Bridge. HX7 7BY

Connect Housing

These have:

3,400 homes across West Yorkshire for families;
supported housing for older people;
shared ownership homes;
and homes for affordable and market rent.

They list their properties via Keychoice.

Home Group

This is a housing association, social enterprise and charity that operates across the UK.

They list their properties via Keychoice.

Website: Home Group
Email: contactus@homegroup.org.uk
Phone: 0345 141 4663
2 Gosforth Parkway, Gosforth Business Park, Newcastle. NE12 8ET

Horton Housing

This is a not-for-profit organisation. They manage a range of housing, training and support services across Calderdale.

Website: Horton Housing

Housing 21

This is a leading not-for-profit Retirement Living and Extra Care provider for older people of modest means.

Visit their website to see what they have.

Mosscare St Vincent's Housing Association

These own and manage almost 9,000 homes in Greater Manchester, Lancashire and West Yorkshire.

They list their properties via Rightmove and Keychoice.

Website: Mosscare St Vincent's Housing Association
Email: enquiry@msvhousing.co.uk
Phone: 0161 226 4211

Places for People

These have been provided affordable homes to rent for almost 50 years.

They list their properties via Keychoice and their website.

Website: Places for People
Email: customerservicecentre@placesforpeople.co.uk
Phone: 01772 667002

Sanctuary Housing

These own and manage around 120,000 accommodation units across England.

They list their properties via Keychoice.

Website: Sanctuary Housing
Also visit their General enquiry webpage
Email: contactus@sanctuary-housing.co.uk
Phone: 0800 131 3348

Stonewater Housing

These are one of the largest social housing providers in the UK. They own and manage around 36,000 homes.

They list their properties via Keychoice.

Website: Stonewater
Phone: 01422 373855

Together Housing

These are one of the largest housing associations in the North of England, with 9,936 properties across Calderdale.

They list properties via Keychoice and their website.

Website: Together Housing
Email: lettings.calderdale@togetherhousing.co.uk
Phone: 0300 555 5560

Yorkshire Housing

These own and manage around 20,000 homes across the region. This includes homes for over 55s and those for low-cost rent (social and affordable homes).

They mainly advertise via Keychoice, but some are via Rightmove.

Website: Yorkshire Housing
Phone: 0345 366 4404

Charities & Organisations

Calderdale SmartMove

Address: 15 Harrison Road, Halifax, HX1 2AF

Phone: 01422 361515

Email: info@calderdalesmartmove.org.uk

Website: http://www.calderdalesmartmove.org.uk

P3 Charity/Housing

P3 Housing provides supported accommodation for people who have experienced homelessness. We offer a range of housing options to support people to live somewhere that is right for them, including direct-access hostels, 24-hour staffed accommodation, self-contained flats for single people and larger accommodation for families in the community.

We work with people to build on their strengths, skills and resilience so they can develop their independence and maintain their accommodation.

Our support is person-centred and strengths-based with a recovery focus, meaning we will support you in the best way for you and your personal circumstances. We also work with the council to keep the service under continuous review to ensure that we are delivering the best possible support at any given time.

We offer support in a variety of ways, including: