Community organizations in and around Chapel Hill are taking steps to address the interconnected challenges of mental health and housing insecurity, recognizing that stable housing is a crucial component of mental health care.
According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, 21.1 percent of people experiencing homelessness also have a serious mental health condition, compared to 5.5 percent of all U.S. adults.
One organization addressing this issue is HomeLink, operated by the UNC Center for Excellence in Community Mental Health. HomeLink connects individuals who are unhoused or housing-insecure and have mental health issues with services, benefits, and housing support.
Paul Marvin, the HomeLink team lead, emphasized the importance of a housing-first approach, providing individuals with stable housing before addressing other concerns. Housing provides a secure foundation from which individuals can address various aspects of their lives.
Marvin’s team comprises individuals with their own lived experiences with mental health, addiction, or homelessness, allowing them to connect with the people they serve and model the recovery process.
Conditions such as anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder are often present in those experiencing housing instability. Marvin highlighted the need to recognize that mental health issues can manifest differently in each person.
Donna Carrington, executive director of the Community Empowerment Fund (CEF), an organization that provides financial services, including housing assistance, in Chapel Hill, Carrboro, and Durham, stressed the connection between housing insecurity and financial insecurity. Many housing-insecure individuals cannot afford adequate healthcare, which can affect their mental health.
CEF facilitates connections between housing providers and those in need, making it easier for individuals to access assistance. They offer a housing helpline and resources to obtain food for those struggling with housing.
Thava Mahadevan, director of operations for the Center for Excellence in Community Mental Health, revealed that they received a five-year grant to focus on helping those dealing with housing insecurity. This includes delivering meals to unhoused individuals and testing a tiny homes village near Pittsboro in partnership with UNC and other organizations.
Having stable, affordable, and permanent supportive housing can significantly reduce stress levels and provide stability to individuals dealing with housing insecurity, Mahadevan emphasized.
Daniele Berman, director of external relations at Community Home Trust, which operates on a land trust model, works to ensure that many of the homes they provide remain permanently affordable, contributing to the long-term stability of individuals and communities.
