The Housing and Mental Health Agreement 2022 (HMHA 2022) recognises that housing and mental health are closely related. Having a safe and secure place to call home is a fundamental foundation for health and wellbeing. In turn, having good health and wellbeing helps people to sustain housing and access housing supports.
The HMHA 2022 is an agreement between NSW Health and the Department of Communities and Justice (DCJ).
It outlines the important relationship between housing and mental health and commits the agencies to work together and engage key stakeholders to achieve a common vision that:
"People who live with mental health condition have timely access to safe, secure, appropriate housing; and mental health supports in place when needed, to sustain housing, live well in the community and lead their recovery."
HMHA 2022 relates to the policy, commissioning and delivery of mental health, social housing and homelessness services by the signatories to a shared client group defined as:
People aged 16 years and older who:
The HMHA 2022 cannot achieve its objectives without working in close partnership with a broader range of service providers and the people who use these services. These include:
NSW Health and DCJ have entered into this agreement to drive three key objectives:
The signatories commit to the following principles:
HMHA 2022 forms the basis of implementation and governance mechanisms and outlines the overarching aims, objectives and commitments for DCJ and NSW Health as the signatories to support the shared client group.
HMHA 2022 is underpinned by three Supporting Frameworks:
These Supporting Frameworks have been finalised following a public consultation in early 2023, and will guide the implementation of the HMHA 22.
Guidance is also being developed to promote effective information sharing.
Districts will be supported locally to implement the HMHA 2022.
For further information about HMHA 2022 please email: moh-housingandmentalhealthagreement2022@health.nsw.gov.au