1. The legal term “specialised supported housing” (SSH) refers to a type of supported housing in England that is exempt from the UK Government’s policy on rents for social housing.1Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, ‘Policy Statement on Rents for Social Housing’ February 2019
What is the meaning of ‘specialised supported housing’?
2. ‘Specialised supported housing’ means supported housing:2Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, (Feb 2019) ‘Policy Statement on Rents for Social Housing’, para 5.5
- which is designed, structurally altered, refurbished or designated for occupation by, and made available to, residents who require specialised services or support in order to enable them to live, or to adjust to living, independently within the community;
- which offers a high level of support, which approximates to the services or support which would be provided in a care home, for residents for whom the only acceptable alternative would be a care home;
- which is provided by a private registered provider under an agreement or arrangement with
- a local authority, or
- a health service (within the meaning of the National Health Service Act 2006);
- for which the rent charged, or to be charged, complies with the agreement or arrangement mentioned in paragraph (c); and
- in respect of which at least one of the following conditions is satisfied:
- there was no, or negligible, public assistance, or
- there was public assistance by means of a loan (secured by means of a charge or a mortgage against a property).
3. This takes forward (with minor amendment) the definition found in current legislation.3The Social Housing Rents (Exceptions and Miscellaneous
Provisions) Regulations 2016 No 390, 2 – def: “specialised supported housing”
Guidance for commissioners
4. Guidance for English local authorities and NHS commissioners on Specialised Supported Housing has been provided by the Local Government Association (LGA).4‘Specialised Supported Housing: Guidance for Local Government and NHS Commissioners | Local Government Association’ accessed 15 December 2020
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