Residential facilities for the mentally ill: needs assessment and community planning

The planning and development of community-based facilities for the mentally ill have been hindered by many factors, one of which is the lack of an acceptable methodology for determining the housing needs of this population. This paper describes a consumer-oriented needs assessment strategy that provides a basis for planning residential facilities for the mentally ill. Survey results provided detailed descriptions of the population in need of residential programs, the types of facilities needed, the total volume of need for each, and the distribution of need. Implications for program planning are discussed as well as the advantages and disadvantages in utilizing this approach for establishing a basis for residential facilities planning for the mentally ill.