A woman whose brother committed suicide at a home for mentally ill people is calling for a change in the system which denies patients a secure home.

Laurence Black, a 57-year-old psychiatric patient, was found unconscious at Davigdor Lodge halfway house in Hove after taking an overdose of about 150 paracetemol tablets.

He died three days later at the Royal Sussex County Hospital on March 26. Mr Black had a history of depression and schizophrenia but was thought to have been recovering.

His family has blamed failures in mental health services for his death and claims he felt suicidal after he discovered he would lose his place at the home.

His sister, Corrine Black, 51, from Kemp Town, Brighton, claims he was pushed over the edge when he and other residents were not informed when they would have to leave or what alternative accommodation was on offer.

She said: "I want to take this issue to Parliament so people who have been in a similar situation can change things. If you are a council tenant or a private tenant you are given a secure tenancy, a home for life.

"I think people in hostels and homes should be given secure tenancies as well."

At the inquest this month the coroner recorded a suicide verdict and criticised a lack of communication, saying Mr Black may have benefited from someone explaining everything properly.

Miss Black, who is mentally ill herself, said: "Staff at the Lodge did sit Laurence down and try to reassure him but once he realised what he thought was a home for life was under threat he gave up. He felt very let down and became more and more withdrawn.

"The council-run Supporting People Assessment Team had prompted staff to call no less than three meetings to talk about moving on. During these sessions no timescale or concrete alternative accommodation to view was offered.

"As a result my brother was in a state of suspended anxiety. This state of affairs went on for eight months before my brother's death.

"To not know what is going to happen regarding your home is scary to your average person but imagine the terrible impact on a person who is already only hanging on a thread and terrified of losing what he knows and loves.

"Staff in these hostels should not be expected to deal with the fall-out from unreasonable or insensitive policies. To go to your grave worrying about the roof over your head is truly tragic.

"What needs to happen in the future is that, instead of telling the hostel residents they will have to move on, why not wait until an actual place becomes vacant. Only then would it be fair to discuss with other residents who would be most suitable to fill the vacancy."

Privately-run Davigdor Lodge, in Tisbury Road, provides accommodation for people with psychiatric problems.

It said Mr Black always knew he would have to leave.

But his sister says he was under the impression his residency was permanent and he regressed after being told last October he was to lose his place.

He was admitted to Millview Hospital in Nevill Avenue, Hove, before being moved to Asher Lodge hostel in Wilbury Gardens, Hove, in early 2002.

After eight months he moved to Davigdor Lodge.

Robert Rawat, owner of Davigdor Lodge, said residents usually stayed for two years but this was "not written in stone".