Look Ahead is one of 170 proud signatories of a letter from the National Housing Federation (NHF) to the Prime Minister and Chancellor, asking the Government to do more to champion supported housing.
The letter acknowledges the role of supported housing as a vital national resource delivering homes and services to hundreds of thousands of people, easing pressure on the NHS and public services, while also improving people’s health, wellbeing, and employability.
The sector makes a valuable contribution in helping people to live more independently in their communities. Despite being a crucial part of health, care and housing infrastructure in England, 1 in 3 supported housing providers had to close schemes last year because of funding pressures.
To address this challenging situation, the NHF letter says the Government must commit to taking real action and investing in the sector’s future before more critical services are lost.
To this end the letter calls for:
- Long-term and increased funding for housing-related support of at least £1.6bn per year for local authorities.
- A commitment to deliver more supported homes by 2040, with clear funding in the Affordable Homes Programme, and ensuring supported homes form part of the government’s 1.5m housebuilding target.
- Ensuring that the long-term housing strategy and homelessness strategy encompass the vital role of supported housing.
By championing the supported housing sector the Government can guarantee itself a reliable delivery-partner for meeting its aims.
Look Ahead’s Chief Executive Chris Hampson said:
“We are proud to sign the NHF’s letter calling on the Government to champion supported housing. Supported housing is not only a lifeline for half a million people nationwide, but also has a crucial role to play in easing immense ongoing pressures on public services.”
