BASW General Election Blog: Investing in good-quality specialist and/or supported housing

BASW has set out 40 priorities for the next UK Government that we’ll be highlighted to all political parties ahead of the General Election. Our blog series takes a deeper look at each of the policy asks in turn.
Housing

On-going investment in good-quality specialist and/or supported housing in the UK

In addition to broad housing issues, social workers have long recognised that specialist forms of supported housing play a vital role in providing for those who have specific needs. This may include sheltered accommodation for the elderly, supported housing for people with a learning disability or therapeutic communities for those who have severe mental health problems or face challenges with drugs and alcohol or those transitioning from street homelessness.

A key barrier to establishing such facilities is the sheer upfront cost of purchasing the actual property, which prevents new supported housing schemes becoming available. Property costs also lead to specialist housing being concentrated in certain areas of the country where public bodies can afford it. This creates two problems: these areas often have multiple social problems and are not suitable environments for placing vulnerable people while people are placed long distances away from their families and social networks. 

A growing problem is so called ‘exempt accommodation’ where companies buy up poor quality accommodation to house vulnerable people. Ostensibly not-for-profit, these organisations source government funding for support but there is no minimum standard of support set, or monitoring required. One estimate calculates some 150,000 households across the UK are in exempt accommodation. While some companies are providing good services there is increasing concern that many are not.

Another failure of regulation, is the recent decision in England to allow certain accommodation for 16 and 17 year olds who may need to live independently to be released from meeting a range of basic requirements. Social workers also recognise that many people with specific needs, who may be in adequate housing, may need considerable support to remain in their existing accommodation. This may include guidance on paying bills, help to prevent hoarding, the prevention of ‘cuckooing’, or support to prevent friction with neighbours spiralling into an eviction issue.

To learn more about specialist and supported housing read BASW’s ‘Housing and Homelessness’ position statement and recommendations.