Breaking the Cycle, Royal College of Psychiatrists, 2026
RCPsych's 2026 report on the supported housing shortfall in mental health. Headline findings: an annual NHS cost of around £102m attributed to people waiting in inpatient beds for supported housing, with potential savings of £53m to £65m a year if the gap were filled. Supported housing costs around a third of an inpatient placement. RCPsych, Look Ahead and National Housing Federation (Breaking the Cycle), 2026 · Source RCPsych, Look Ahead and National Housing Federation (Breaking the Cycle), 2026 · Source
Mental Health Inpatient Statistics, NHS England, 2025
NHS England's analysis of delayed discharge bed days in mental health services in 2024/25. Housing related delays accounted for 22% of all delayed discharge days. 121,695 additional inpatient bed days in England were lost to people waiting for supported housing. RCPsych, Look Ahead and National Housing Federation (Breaking the Cycle), 2026 · Source RCPsych, Look Ahead and National Housing Federation (Breaking the Cycle), 2026 · Source
Social Services National Outcomes Framework, Welsh Government, 2025
Research by Cardiff Metropolitan University and Alma Economics showing Housing Support Grant services deliver a net saving of £1.40 for every £1 invested in Wales. Cardiff Metropolitan University and Alma Economics, reported by Senedd Research, 2025 · Source
Statistics used on this site
- £102m / year: £102m a year cost to NHS mental health services in England from the supported housing shortfall. RCPsych, Look Ahead and National Housing Federation (Breaking the Cycle), 2026 · Source
- 121,695 days: 121,695 additional inpatient bed days in England in 2024/25 from people waiting for supported housing. RCPsych, Look Ahead and National Housing Federation (Breaking the Cycle), 2026 · Source
- 22%: 22% of delayed discharge days in mental health inpatient services in 2024/25 are housing driven. RCPsych, Look Ahead and National Housing Federation (Breaking the Cycle), 2026 · Source
- 1/3 cost: Supported housing costs around a third of an inpatient placement; potential savings of £53m to £65m a year. RCPsych, Look Ahead and National Housing Federation (Breaking the Cycle), 2026 · Source
- £1.40 per £1, in Wales: Housing Support Grant services deliver a net saving of £1.40 for every £1 invested in Wales. Cardiff Metropolitan University and Alma Economics, reported by Senedd Research, 2025 · Source
- about £838: Cost of a mental health inpatient bed day in England, worked out from £102m for 121,695 additional bed days in 2024/25. Royal College of Psychiatrists, Look Ahead and National Housing Federation (Breaking the Cycle), 2026 · Source
Commissioner Guidance for Adult Community Mental Health Rehabilitation, NHS England
NHS England's framework for commissioners around community mental health rehabilitation, with explicit reference to integrated housing and support.
The Look Ahead Report, 2026
Look Ahead's joint report with RCPsych and the National Housing Federation analysing the supported housing gap, the national cost, and proposed solutions.
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