Being able to choose housing that is suited to preferences and needs is a fundamental human right and is the basis of good health and wellbeing. Mind Australia provides a number of high-quality Housing with support services for people with significant mental health and wellbeing challenges to find help, hope and purpose in their lives. We have made a long term commitment to research around housing and support as part of our accountability to the people we support, their families and kin, funders and the sector. We have undertaken multiple internal and independent evaluations of Haven, unlike many home and living support programs.

Learn more about Mind’s Haven residences 

Evaluation of the Haven Program (2024)

La Trobe University completed a four-year evaluation of Mind’s Haven Program, which provides long-term, high-quality social housing and integrated psychosocial support to residents. The report summarises key findings acquired through analysing qualitative and quantitative data from 99 stakeholders, including residents, carers, and staff.

Residents, carers and staff viewed the Haven Program as effective. The Haven Program stands out from other similar models due to several key factors. Firstly, it offers the option for long term housing, which sets it apart from others that may only provide temporary solutions. Additionally, the program’s recovery-oriented approach is a significant strength, as it prioritizes the well-being and progress of individuals. The presence of a strong peer community further enhances the program, as it fosters support and camaraderie among participants. Furthermore, the home-like environment provided by the program contributes to its appeal, creating a sense of comfort and stability. Lastly, the quality of housing offered by the Haven Program is exceptional, ensuring that individuals have a safe and suitable place to call home.

$2.21 return per dollar spent in providing the Haven residential program

There is a $2.21 return per dollar spent (benefit-cost ratio) if Haven housing with support is provided at scale
The Haven Foundation Program is a cost-effective, evidence-based solution to support individuals with significant mental health and wellbeing challenges. Its continuing availability and expansion can generate substantial economic and social benefits while improving the quality of life for vulnerable populations in Australia.

Haven produces benefits because it improves outcomes for:

  • individuals with mental health challenges;
  • carers, by providing support; and
  • society, by helping to reduce housing instability, number of length of hospitalisations, and interactions with the criminal justice system

The Haven Foundation Program – Cost Benefit Analysis  - Bell Potter advisory (PDF 571 KB)

"I enjoy living here and working on my independence”: Recovery trajectories for Housing with Support residents

We conducted an in-depth analysis of outcomes for residents in Haven and our other supported living programs, including by analysing 827 surveys from 273 service users.

The report includes demographic insights on people using the services, and outcome data on recovery, quality of life (QoL), alcohol and other drug (AOD) use, hospitalisation, service satisfaction, and My Better Life (MBL) outcomes.

  • Recovery trajectories for all residents, and significant recovery for ~20% of cohort 
  • Longer stays linked to a stronger sense of connection, wellbeing and better physical health satisfaction
  • Quality of life scores above national average for people with severe mental health challenges
  • High carer wellbeing and satisfaction

The report also includes valuable qualitative insights on what matters to service users and carers, offering a holistic view of the impact of these services. Altogether, the findings address key questions about service user and carer outcomes.

Haven/PRR Outcomes Report, July 2020 – June 2024 (PDF 431 KB)

More than a cost saving: Living at Haven supports residents and reduces the need for hospitalization

Evidence suggests high quality supported housing that encourages community integration is key for satisfaction and effectiveness, reduced healthcare costs and increased wellbeing for people living with mental health challenges.

We looked at the number of days in hospital for a mental health reason, in the year before moving in to a Haven compared to the first year after move in. There was an average of 17 days in hospital per resident for the 12 months before move in, which reduced to 5 days in the 12 months after move in. This was a 70% reduction in days in hospital.
Our research findings match the results of many other studies which shows people with significant mental health challenges in supported housing need less access to inpatient care. This is more than a cost saving: what is important is for people to be well enough to not need hospitalisation and get on with daily living in the community.

Living at Haven supports residents’ wellbeing and reduces the need for hospitalisation (PDF 118 KB)

Trajectories: the interplay between mental health and housing pathways (2020)

Mind Australia, in partnership with Australian Housing & Urban Research Institute (AHURI), has completed a two-year national study examining the relationship between the housing and mental health pathways of people with lived experience of mental ill-health.

The study found that safe, secure, appropriate and affordable housing is critical for recovery from mental ill-health and for being able to access appropriate support services. The quantitative analysis showed that poor and deteriorating mental health directly impact housing stability (as measured by forced moves and financial hardship). People who experienced severe psychological distress had an 89 per cent increased likelihood of financial hardship in the following year and a 96 per cent increased likelihood of financial hardship within two years. The quantitative analysis showed that mediating factors, such as social support, good general health, and accessing mental health and other health services, can reduce the likelihood of housing instability and shorten the length of time a person experiences mental ill-health.

Find out more on the Trajectories page

Exploring the impact of housing security on recovery in people with severe mental illness (2013)

As a novel supported housing model, this evaluation was conducted to document the experiences of tenants at Haven South Yarra. 

The very positive feedback about not only satisfaction with being a tenant but also the gains in independence, social participation, self-belief and illness stability that have been achieved by tenants, underscores the strong benefit of Haven South Yarra’s model of operation. While there are some outstanding challenges to overcome, the capacity to partner with a range of service providers and community groups, help identify and work to achieve recovery goals for clients, and most importantly promote opportunities for independence and social participation are key aspects of the model that were found to impact on outcomes.