Supported Housing

General definition

1.  “Supported housing” is:

“Any housing scheme where housing is provided alongside care, support or supervision to help people live as independently as possible in the community.” 1DCLG/DWP, Funding Supported Housing: Policy Statement and Consultation, October 2017, page 8 para 2

2. Supported housing and specific forms of supported housing may have specific legal definitions in specific contexts. See for example the Regulator of Social Housing’s definition of “supported housing” for rent guidance and data return purposes discussed below. 

3. Also note that most discussions, legislation, policy developments and so forth relate to “rented” supported housing, i.e. where the occupier currently has a liability for a rent or a licence fee and probably (significant) service charges and (potential) entitlement to assistance with these housing costs by way of means-tested Housing Benefit or in certain instances the housing element of Universal Credit

The Regulator of Social Housing’s definition of “supported housing”

4. In England the Regulator of Social Housing defines “supported housing” for rent guidance and data return purposes2Regulator of Social Housing (2019) NROSH+ Statistical Data Return 2018/19 Large Provider Guidance Notes Version 1.2 p 65 def “supported housing”; Regulator of Social Housing (2019) NROSH+ Statistical Data Return 2018/19 Small Provider Guidance Notes Version 1.1 p 37 def “supported housing” as low-cost rental accommodation provided by a registered provider which:3Welfare Reform and Work Act 2016, Social Housing Rents (Exceptions and Miscellaneous Provisions) Regulations 2016, No 390 Reg 2 def: “supported housing”

  1. is made available only in conjunction with the supply of support,
  2. is made available exclusively to residents who have been identified as needing support, and
  3. falls into one or both of the following categories:
    1. accommodation that has been designed, structurally altered or refurbished in order to enable residents to live independently,
    2. accommodation that has been designated as being available only to individuals within an identified group with specific support needs.

Different types of “supported housing”

5. The term “supported housing” covers a range of different housing types including: 4DCLG/DWP, Funding Supported Housing: Policy Statement and Consultation, October 2017, page 8, para 3

  1. hostels,
  2. refuges,
  3. supported living complexes,
  4. extra care schemes, and
  5. sheltered housing.

6. Different types of provision meet different levels of need – and often multiple needs. 5DCLG/DWP, Funding Supported Housing: Policy Statement and Consultation, October 2017, page 8, para 3

    1.  
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