What is supported housing?

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What is supported housing?

A woman being helped to use a walking frame outside a large home

Supported housing is a home where you get help with everyday activities. 

For example, getting help with:

A woman is stirring a pan at an oven
  • learning how to do jobs like cooking
Help with bills and money
  • learning how to pay your bills and stay safe online
A woman holds a shopping basket whist another woman who has a bandaged arm, puts a food can into it.
  • going to the shops
In front of a picture of lots of different types of benefit leaflets is the Houses of Parliament and a hand putting money into an envelope.
  • claiming benefits
A man with a shovel next to some flowers.
  • learning how to look after your garden if you have one
A reminder letter for an annual health check
  • making appointments like visiting the doctor or dentist
A calculator next to a pile of money
  • planning how you spend your money
A woman spending time with her two male friends
  • going out and seeing friends and family.
A support worker is helping a woman learn how to use a walking frame outside a large home. Underneath is a calendar with 4 dates circled in red.

Everyone is different and has different needs. 

Your needs may mean that support workers visit you a few times a week.  

Or they may come in at set times of the day like in the morning or in the evening. 

A woman is helping a woman to use a walking frame, underneath her is a picture of the sun and moon and a 12 hour clock

Sometimes support workers are there all the time.

A man waving outside a house made into flats, and a group of people sitting on a sofa with the same man next to a different house.

Types of supported housing 

You could have: 

  • a room in a house that you share with other people 
  • a flat or a house where you live on your own.
a book with a man in a wheelchair being given a cup of tea on the cover.

What to do if you feel that you do not get enough support

Your support plan or contract should tell you how much support you should get. 

A contract is when you say yes to something and make a promise.

For example, your support plan or contract might say that you should get 15 hours support a week.  

A woman is explaining something to a man. Both are sitting on chairs facing each other

Speak to your support worker or social worker about checking your support plan or your contract. 

A man is talking to another man who is in a wheelchair

If you’re not getting as much support as you need speak to your support worker, social worker or a trusted friend.

A woman with Down's Syndrome stands in front of a team of people who can support her

They could help you:

  • get more support
  • or find housing with more support.
A man sits at a desk, writing. He is sat next to a woman who is smiling while on the phone. They are both in a building which is labelled 'Council'

How to find supported housing

You can ask your local council about supported housing in your area. 

A man is looking through a magnifying glass

Social workers can often help with finding supported housing. 

A male supporter is talking to a helpline adviser on behalf of a woman who is sat next to him

Or you can ask a family member or someone you trust to get this information from your local council. 

A laptop showing a cursor on the screen over to the word click

Find your local council on the government website.

Two neighbours outside their new build houses have their arms folded looking annoyed

What to do if you do not get on with people you live with

Read our Easy Read about what to do if you have problems with your neighbours.

Read our Easy Read about what to do if you have a problem or argument your housemate in supported housing.
 

A woman is holding her purse upside down looking for money but there is no money left

If you cannot afford to pay rent

It can be worrying if you do not have enough money to pay rent. 

You might be able to get benefits to help pay your rent.

A man is turning a key in the door with a red cross over him.

What to do if your landlord wants you to leave

Your landlord cannot just change the locks. 

A woman is explaining something to a man. Both are sitting on chairs facing each other

Speak to your support worker, social worker or a family member as soon as you are told to leave. 

A woman is reading a letter which came out of a brown envelope

Most people:

  • should get a notice to leave in writing
A calendar page showing 28 days
  • should get a notice that is at least 28 days long
A judge in a wig outside a court house and next to a wooden hammer
  • do not have to leave until the court tells them to move out.
A man is showing another man a piece of paper

A notice is a letter your landlord gives you if they want you to leave.

A tenancy agreement next to a calendar showing 28 days +

The notice might have to be longer than 28 days if you have a tenancy agreement.

A magnifying glass on top of a tenancy agreement

Check your tenancy agreement for information about your notice.

A Mencap Learning Disability Helpline adviser sitting at her desk

Call the Learning Disability Helpline on 0808 808 1111 for more advice. 

This Easy Read was originally co-created with Shelter in December 2023.

Last updated by Mencap: 08/12/2023

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