NORMAL HOUSING - A KEY ELEMENT OF A SUPPORTED HOUSING APPROACH FOR PEOPLE WITH PSYCHIATRIC DISABILITIES

This article summarizes current thinking in the field about the types of housing environments which are most relevant both to the overall goal of community integration, and to the variety of specific support needs of individuals with psychiatric disabilities. Within the context of a "supported housing" approach, which focuses on maximizing consumers choices and preferences, using integrated regular housing stock, and making a full array of community supports available, the authors propose a number of specific criteria which can be useful to community mental health organizations in planning for, or selecting housing.