Greatwell Homes, which owns and manages ten independent living schemes in our area, has backed the first ever Supported Housing Week, campaigning for awareness of the benefits of supported housing.

Organised by the National Housing Federation, the campaign shines a light on the life- changing services supported housing can offer, while calling for key solutions to secure its future.

Jo Savage, chief executive at Greatwell Homes said: “As with many housing providers across the country, our independent living schemes offer vital support, a safe home and above all, crucial independence for people who need it most.

“Our schemes have 241 customers who each have a variety of support needs, giving them support when they need it, yet encouraging them to live independently and we see the difference the service makes to theirs, and their loved-ones lives, each and every day. With the opening of our new Dappletree Court scheme not far off, we’re very proud of being able to increase and improve our independent living offer, which we know is desperately

Supported Housing Week ran from 19 to 23 October.

placeholder image — Supported Housing Week ran from 19 to 23 October.

needed.”

Supported housing helps more than half a million people who are older, disabled, veterans, care leavers, or survivors of domestic abuse across the country to live independently while easing pressure on the NHS, social care and criminal justice services.

National Housing Federation research shows around 60 per cent of providers expect to close schemes in future, despite years of funding cuts and rising costs forcing councils to decommission services, despite growing demand and a significant shortfall in places.

Greatwell Homes insists the issue underlines why the first Supported Housing Week is calling for action to protect the vital services.