Dealing with serious mental illness and homelessness is a complex issue that affects the person experiencing the illness, their family, the community and the government . In the past, people with serious mental illnesses were treated in institutions, but in the 1960s, policies were changed and treatment moved into communities (Newman & Goldman, 2009). Since then, problems have arisen with housing and support services for the seriously mentally ill population. After examining the problems with current programs and policies in my previous two articles, here is my recommendation on how to improve this problem. Serious mental illness covers several specific diagnoses that require different treatments. The “one size fits all” approach cannot meet all the needs of this group. Throughout the research, adequate housing was one of the most important concerns that people with serious mental illness needed to address in order to increase the stability of their illness. It is difficult to obtain housing for this population due to the symptoms of mental illness and the problems that arise when people relapse. Utilizing public and private services could help alleviate some of the problems seen in programs and policies used today to address serious mental illness. A more personal approach to this issue could adapt to the needs of the individual and better support them in the community to achieve the best possible outcome. How a person with a serious mental illness is housed and the environment of that housing play an important role in that person's health. By engaging both private and public services, such as social workers, clinicians, support groups and clergy, a plan can be developed to best serve the person with...... middle of paper.. ....u/pub/ The Housing Needs and Policy of the Severely Mentally Ill Homeless Lezak, AD and Edgar, E. (April 1996). Preventing homelessness among people with serious mental illness: A guide for states, the Center for Mental Health Services, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Retrieved from http://www.umaine.edu/mainecenteronaging/documents/Preventing_Homelessness.pdfNewman, S., & Goldman, H. (2009). Housing policy for people with serious mental illnesses. Journal of Political Studies, 37(2), 299-324. Retrieved October 17, 2011, from Research Library. (Document ID: 1717997571).Teaster, P.B. (2003). When the State takes back a life: The public guardian as public administrator. Public Administration Review, 63(4), 396-404. Retrieved October 17, 2011, from Research Library. (document ID: 370511071).