The latest edition of the CSIRO’s Australian Health Review, released this month, published research that concluded housing support significantly reduced hospital visits for people with chronic mental health issues.

The report tracked the results of 197 people participating in the New South Wales Mental Health Housing and Accommodation Support Initiative (HASI) in 2015.

In Maitland HASI is supplied by Neami National among others.

Maitland service manager Christie Hodge said she witnessed improvements in her HASI clients every day.

“Our people absolutely see a reduction in hospital admissions,” she said.

She said hospitalisation either becomes less frequent or stops completely for clients.

On the ground, HASI seeks to provide a stable home for clients. From there other services and programs are brought into to build resilience.

Peer support networks fulfill the social drive of clients at Neami. And, while not a formal collaboration with HASI, the service attempts to secure employment for those in the program.

“Having something to do and someone to do it with is important,” Ms Hodge said.

Ms Hodge said the positive impact of secure housing was visible on the surface through her client’s smoking rates.

“Smoking correlated with mental health issues,” she said.

“Many [of our HASI clients] cut down smoking and start making healthy, holistic life choices and start taking responsibility.”

While tenders for HASI are currently being considered by NSW Health and Housing NSW, Ms Hodge said she was hopeful more resources would be allocated to regional services like Maitland’s.

If you need crisis support call Lifeline on 13 11 14.