Supported housing, which provides vulnerable groups such as domestic abuse victims, homeless people, or those with learning disabilities with semi-independent living, is facing a crisis. Across the sector, almost a third of providers have closed services in the past year, with 60% expecting to close others in the future. More than 50% blamed funding as an issue, with local authorities generally cited as restricting or limiting commissioning decisions. Supported housing provider Look Ahead has recently closed similar services and young people have been forced to seek alternative accommodation without any support.
A survey carried out by the National Housing Federation (NHF) revealed that polling of supported housing providers had indicated that six in ten services could close. The NHF is calling on the incoming government to revert to ring-fenced funding for sheltered housing, to negate the need for councils to dip into existing budgets. The NHF stressed that if there were no supported housing, individuals would become homeless or be placed in costly residential care, hospitals, or institutions.
Two young people who live in a supported housing block in East London are delighted with the opportunities it provides them. Charlie Gibbs, 22, has progressed from grief counseling to a steady routine, cooking and cleaning, since she moved in after the loss of her mother and father. Hannah Debellotte, 20, was able to leave home under difficult circumstances and learn valuable practical skills. She said: “All the responsibility is now on me. They help with trauma and support me with therapy.”
Supported housing is important for many looking for protection from abusive relationships or who have any significant emotional, medical, or financial problems. Loss of these services could be detrimental to many young people, who have already experienced adversity in their young lives
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