NIHR Global Health Research Group on Homelessness and Mental Health in Africa (HOPE) 

The aim of HOPE is to develop effective interventions that respond to the prioritised needs of people who are homeless and have severe mental illness in Ethiopia, Ghana and Kenya.

HOPE brings together people with lived experience of mental illness, researchers, implementers and policy-makers. 

Why do we need HOPE?

1. People with severe mental illness are over-represented in homeless populations globally, but this is a major concern in Africa.
2. 2 in 5 homeless people assessed in Addis Ababa had severe mental illness*.
3. 1 in 3 people with severe mental illness in a rural district in Ethiopia had slept unsheltered.
4. Unmet needs are extensive and include respect for human rights, basic needs for shelter, safety, food and sanitation; mental and physical health care; social reintegration and economic recovery*.
5. Despite the scale of the problem, there is no high-quality evidence to show which interventions are effective and feasible in African settings. 

The objectives of the 4 year HOPE project are to:

1. Identify the priority needs and valued outcomes of those who are homeless and have severe mental illness.
2. Integrate global and local evidence to select and co-produce interventions.
3. Evaluate the impact and costs of co-produced interventions.
4. Generate evidence-based guidance on how to implement interventions.
5. Pioneer the development of methods and ethical frameworks.
6. Build sustainable capacity across partners.   

*Reference: Fekadu et al. BMC Medicine (2014): http://www.biomedcentral.com/1741-7015/12/138