Supported housing

Supported housing is an option for people who want more independence but are unable to live independently. Often it is an option for people moving out of a hospital environment and into the community.

About supported housing

HouseSupported housing can mean a number of things. Examples of supported housing include:

  • Having a room and sharing other facilities such as the bathroom, kitchen and living room with other people. This is a bit like sharing a house but with extra support.
  • Having a bed-sit or flat to yourself but someone coming in day to day to provide support.
  • Living in the home of a landlord or landlady who provides support.

Supported housing projects include:

Adult placement schemes 
 these involve living in the home of someone who is your landlord or landlady but who also provides support. These schemes are favoured in some parts of the country more than in others.

Sheltered housing 
 is commonly an option for older people but people with mental illness may be placed in this type of accommodation. Residents live in a block or group of flats which are serviced by a warden and sometimes support staff. It offers a good level of independence although many people also receive community care services.

Hostels 
offer varying degrees of support depending on the set up. Many hostels are for specific groups of people, such as the homeless or young people. People live independently but there is often support provided in the life skills and social skills needed to do so.

Group homes 
vary from self-contained flats to flats where you share a living room, bathroom and kitchen with other residents. The key to this type of accommodation is that people provide mutual support. Some homes may have additional support in the form of support workers.

Registered care homes
are an option for people who are severely incapacitated by their mental illness and need 24 hour support. Residents usually have their own bedroom more often with en-suite bathroom and share a common living and dining room area with others residents. Meals are provided. Care homes tend to have an older age range of people.

What sort of support do supported housing workers provide?

The amount of help you get will depend on the supported housing project you use. In some projects, someone will be on hand 24 hours a day and may even stay overnight in the house.
In others they will be available 9-5 or 5 days a week only. There is usually someone you can call out of hours if you need help.

The range of support you might get can vary widely. At first you may need more practical help such as help cooking, cleaning or doing the shopping. However, as you become more independent the worker may be able to help you in socialising, recreation and ultimately finding your own home.

Of course this is not always possible for everyone and for some people supported housing may be the most independence they can manage.

How do I get supported housing

Supported housing is often run by councils, housing associations or voluntary groups. The local housing department should be able to give you information on supported housing projects in your area or your local community mental health team.

If you contact the project in which you are interested they should be able to tell you how to apply.

There is often a waiting list for supported housing and you will usually need an interview before being accepted. If you feel that supported housing may benefit you should bring this up at your next review meeting both if you are in hospital or with your care coordinator.

See the 'useful contacts' page for national organisations which provide supported housing across the UK.