Chat 1

Britain's Growing Supported Living Crisis: New Government Study Reveals Urgent Need for Action 

29th November 2024

A landmark government study has revealed the scale of Britain's supported living housing shortage, highlighting an urgent need for increased capacity in this vital sector.

The Current Shortfall 

Britain currently has 634,000 supported living units, but this falls drastically short of actual need. The study identifies an immediate shortfall of up to 388,100 units - meaning nearly 40% of those requiring supported living accommodation cannot access it. 

Growing Demand by 2040 

The demand for supported living will nearly double by 2040, requiring between 995,600 and 1,275,000 units total. This includes: 

  • 310,800 additional units needed for working-age adults 
  • Significant increases needed across all support categories 
  • Rising demand from multiple vulnerable groups 

Critical Housing Needs 

The study identifies critical shortages in accommodation for: 

  • People with learning disabilities and autism 
  • Mental health supported accommodation  
  • Single homelessness provision 
  • Domestic abuse survivors 
  • Young people leaving care 
  • Refugees and asylum seekers 
  • Veterans 
  • People with drug and alcohol issues 
  • Prison leavers 

Property and Service Challenges 

The sector faces mounting pressures: 

  • Severe shortage of suitable properties 
  • Limited availability of development sites 
  • Rising operational costs including energy, insurance, and maintenance 
  • Staffing challenges, particularly for 24-hour supervision 
  • Complex planning and regulatory requirements 
  • Increasing complexity of resident needs 
  • Financial sustainability concerns for charitable providers 

The message is clear: Britain faces a supported living housing crisis that requires immediate attention.  

The government has committed to ensuring a sustainable supported housing sector that enables vulnerable people to live as independently as possible within the community. However, without significant action to increase the availability of suitable properties, this gap between supply and demand will continue to widen, leaving vulnerable people without the specialised accommodation they desperately need. 

At Supported Living Gateway, we believe collaboration is key to addressing this critical shortage. By bringing together property owners and care providers, we're working to create more high-quality supported living homes across Britain. Get in touch to find out how you can be part of the solution. 

You can read the full government report here: 

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/supported-housing-review-2023  

Related News

14th February 2025

Homes Not Hospitals: The Critical Need for Supported Living Accommodation

Every day across the UK, thousands of people remain in hospital settings not because they need medical care, but because they lack appropriate housing with support to meet their needs. This situation isn't just costly for our healthcare system—it's devastating for the individuals trapped in this cycle.

Read the article >
8th February 2025

Supporting Children's Mental Health Through Quality Homes

When children cannot live with their families, the environment of their alternative home plays a crucial role in their mental health and emotional development. Quality children's homes that provide stable, nurturing environments can help minimise the trauma of family separation and support positive mental health outcomes.

Read the article >
31st January 2025

Find Your Next Supported Living Property with the Gateway

Are you a care provider struggling to find suitable properties for your supported living services? At Supported Living Gateway, we've created the UK's first dedicated property portal connecting care providers with landlords who are specifically looking to lease their properties to the supported living sector.

Read the article >
10th January 2025

Government Announces Social Care Commission

The UK government has announced a new independent commission to reform adult social care, led by Baroness Louise Casey. While this represents a significant step towards addressing the challenges in the sector, the commission's final recommendations won't be delivered until 2028, leaving a considerable gap in addressing immediate needs.

Read the article >