I work for a housing association as a mental health support worker and I can tell you it stinks.
The association was established in the late 1960s, and for years provided general purpose and special needs housing. In recent years, the majority of the mental health projects have been de-registered. Their vulnerable tenants were promised higher staffing levels and better overall financing, but under the auspices of an odious government organisation called "Supporting People", services have actually been slashed, staffing drastically reduced (some homes which previously had 24-hour cover now leave vulnerable tenants alone overnight, with various medications sought after by drug dealers on the premises) and staff are dismissed instantly if they share their concerns outside the organisation. Concerns shared WITHIN the organisation are dismissed with glib comments such as "you must adapt".
These housing associations now compete against each other for tenders under New Labour legislation and services come as a poor second. Many organisations are now reduced to a level of service which is grave cause for concern, but with staff gagged, a lot of what is happening is shielded from the public gaze.
Supporting People, another odious New Labour venture in England - http://www.spkweb.org.uk/
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