Housing support services help people maintain their tenancies, live independently, and access the support they need. These services are flexible and tailored to individual needs, helping people stay in their homes and thrive.
What are Housing Support Services?
Housing support services provide practical and emotional support to help people:
- Maintain Tenancies: Support to keep your home
- Live Independently: Help with daily living tasks
- Access Services: Help accessing benefits, healthcare, etc.
- Build Skills: Develop skills for independent living
- Stay Safe: Support with safety and wellbeing
Types of Housing Support
Floating Support
- Support provided in your own home
- Flexible and tailored to your needs
- Regular visits from support workers
- Help with various aspects of life
- Can be short or long-term
Tenancy Support
- Help maintaining your tenancy
- Support with rent and bills
- Help with landlord relationships
- Support with tenancy issues
- Help accessing benefits
Life Skills Support
- Cooking and nutrition
- Budgeting and money management
- Household management
- Employment support
- Social skills development
Who Can Access Housing Support?
Housing support is available for:
- People at Risk of Losing Their Home: Support to maintain tenancies
- People with Support Needs: Those who need help to live independently
- People Leaving Institutions: Support transitioning to independent living
- Vulnerable Adults: Those who need support to stay safe
- People with Mental Health Needs: Support to maintain housing and wellbeing
How to Access Housing Support
Through Local Authority
- Contact your local council
- Request a care or support assessment
- Assessment of your support needs
- Allocation of support services
- Regular reviews
Through Housing Providers
- Some housing providers offer support
- May be included with accommodation
- Support workers on-site or visiting
- Tailored to your needs
Direct Referral
- Some services accept direct referrals
- Self-referral possible
- May need assessment
- Support allocated based on needs
Benefits of Housing Support
Maintaining Independence
- Stay in your own home
- Support when you need it
- Build confidence and skills
- Maintain connections
- Live life your way
Preventing Problems
- Early intervention prevents crises
- Support to maintain tenancies
- Help accessing services
- Support with finances
- Help with relationships
Quality of Life
- Improved wellbeing
- Better health outcomes
- Increased confidence
- Social connections
- Employment opportunities
What Support is Available?
Practical Support
- Help with daily living tasks
- Support with bills and budgeting
- Help accessing benefits
- Support with appointments
- Help with forms and paperwork
Emotional Support
- Someone to talk to
- Support with mental health
- Help with relationships
- Support through difficult times
- Advocacy and representation
Skills Development
- Life skills training
- Employment support
- Education and training
- Social skills
- Independent living skills
Your Rights
Right to Support
- Right to be assessed for support
- Right to appropriate support
- Right to be involved in planning
- Right to review and change support
- Right to complain
Right to Choice
- Right to be involved in decisions
- Right to choose support provider (in some cases)
- Right to have preferences considered
- Right to change support if not working
Browse Housing Support Providers
Find housing support services in your area. These services can help you maintain your housing, live independently, and access the support you need.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What are housing support services?
Housing support services provide practical and emotional support to help people maintain their tenancies, live independently, and access the services they need. Support is flexible and tailored to individual needs.
Who is eligible for housing support?
Housing support is available for people at risk of losing their home, people with support needs, people leaving institutions, vulnerable adults, and people with mental health needs who need help to maintain their housing.
How do I access housing support?
Contact your local authority for a care or support assessment. They will assess your needs and may allocate support services. Some services also accept direct referrals.
What is floating support?
Floating support is support provided in your own home by visiting support workers. It's flexible and tailored to your needs, and can help with various aspects of daily life.
Do I have to pay for housing support?
Housing support provided by local authorities is usually free if you meet eligibility criteria. Some services may charge, but support is often funded through local authority budgets.
How long can I receive housing support?
Support can be short or long-term depending on your needs. It should be reviewed regularly, and support levels can be adjusted as your needs change or you become more independent.
What support is available?
Support can include help with daily living tasks, budgeting, accessing benefits, mental health support, employment support, life skills training, and advocacy.
Can I choose my support provider?
If you receive direct payments or a personal budget, you may be able to choose your support provider. With local authority-arranged support, your preferences should be considered.
What if my support needs change?
Your support should be reviewed regularly, and support levels can be adjusted as your needs change. You can request a review at any time if your circumstances change.
How does housing support help prevent homelessness?
Housing support helps prevent homelessness by providing early intervention, support to maintain tenancies, help accessing benefits and services, and support with issues that could lead to housing loss.