Supported housing

Supported 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 
Which 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 
Which 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 
Which 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
Which 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.

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.

It is not always possible for everyone to move onto independent living and for some people supported housing may be the most appropriate long term option.