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For Immediate Release
Thursday, October 4, 2001

Nashville, TN — The Tennessee Department of Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities’ Office of Housing Planning and Development (OHPD) has received a $1.76 million federal grant that will allow effective long-term and permanent housing solutions for Tennesseans with mental illness.

Marie Williams, Director of Housing Planning and Development, said that the grant would allow for an enduring change to the State’s current mental health housing system.

"We will now be able to make a serious difference in the type of housing we offer the community, Williams said. "Our project, "Housing Within Reach," will enable an increase in availability and accessibility of housing resources for consumers and more choices for providers."

Department of Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities Commissioner Elisabeth Rukeyser said that the grant would let the DMHDD to continue in its focus on establishing affordable, quality and safe housing.

"It is my belief that in order to improve community services and effect systemic change we have to target housing and support services that are needed in the community," Rukeyser said. "This is a wonderful opportunity and will help many, many people."

Awarded to only 20 recipients out of 161 applicants throughout the country, the grant also allows for the concerted education of the public directed at erasing the stigma of those facing mental health issues.

"Hopefully, this grant will help us increase public awareness on mental health and the acceptance of people who have a mental illness," Williams said.

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