The Effects of Independent Living on People With Severe Mental Illness

This article represents an initial effort to systematically examine the mental health effects of independent housing on people with severe mental illness and, in particular, the effects of Section 8 certificates. According to the authors, the results are suggestive: raising the possibility that providing more affordable and higher quality housing for people with severe mental illness can convey additional benefits above and beyond those associated with the general Section 8 certificate program, primarily lower rent burdens and physically adequate dwellings (authors).