Our call for secure investment in supported housing

Holly Dagnall, Director of Homes and Wellbeing, NCHA

When we think of ‘social care’, for many people, their thoughts go directly to older people care. But this is far from the reality of the diverse and varied nature of the care delivered through supported housing.

We deliver a lot of varied supported housing at NCHA: for those at risk of homelessness, fleeing abuse, and with learning disabilities, or long-term mental health need.

So it’s appropriate that this Mental Health Awareness week, we join the National Housing Federation ’s call for a long-term plan of investment for supported housing.

This week I visited our mental health supported housing service, Blythe Street. The work they do supports vulnerable people to live their life to the fullest, with independence and choice. I spoke to customers and colleagues about the positive outcomes achieved through support.

The role of supported housing

There are approximately 573,000 supported housing homes in England, with around 510,000 owned by local authorities, social landlords and housing associations.

Supported housing provides a vital service. Research commissioned by the National Housing Federation, shows that without supported housing, 41,000 more people would be homeless, 30,000 people would be at risk of homelessness, and we would need 14,000 more inpatient psychiatric places, 2,500 more places in residential care and 2,000 more prison places.

It’s estimated that supported housing saves the public purse an average £1,390 a year, per person.

And yet, supported housing receives limited political attention or investment. As it stands, there is no current government plan for long-term supported housing provision. We need this security to deliver our existing services and be able to plan for new ones.

Future need

To meet the rising demand for supported housing, we must invest in suitable homes that provide tailored support for people to live independently.

Research estimates that more than 167,000 more supported homes will be needed by 2040. That’s a 33% increase on current provision. An extra £10.5bn will also be needed for rent and service charge, and support costs.

It’s a lot of money, but the cost of not acting will be much higher.

As we approach a general election, we’re calling on all parties to make a ‘long-term plan for housing’ a key consideration in their manifestos, to ensure that supported housing gets the secure investment it needs. So that housing providers like NCHA can continue to deliver and develop services that vulnerable people so desperately need.