Questions about Supported Housing

Supported Housing is either permanent or temporary accommodation which is designated for a particular client group eg the elderly, frail elderly, people with learning disabilities, people with physical disabilities, people with mental health issues, those with alcohol or drug dependency problems, former rough sleepers, the homeless or young people leaving care services etc. Supported Housing will offer support services relevant to the client group living there.

Supporting People is the way that support services are funded for those who need help in managing their tenancy. It was introduced by the Government on 1 April 2003 and is paid and monitored by the local authority who commission support services for those living in their area.

ISHA has a number of supported housing schemes. Those that it manages direct include a sheltered scheme with a live-in support worker for the over 55’s in Islington. In Hackney there are two Supported Living Schemes for the frail elderly and a small block of independent living accommodation for the over 55’s. ISHA also owns and manages two schemes for former rough sleepers in Islington. In addition ISHA owns a number of properties which are managed and supported by agents on its behalf. Schemes include a project for the single homeless in Hackney, a scheme for adults with learning disabilities in Waltham Forest and a small number of flats for adults with physical disabilities in Islington.

Floating Support is a free service or a range of services available in the Borough in which a Council or Housing Association tenant lives which help them keep their tenancy rather than lose it because they have broken one or more of the terms and conditions of their tenancy. For example someone with serious rent arrears may be referred to an appropriate support provider to help them organise and manage their finances or someone who is having legal action taken against them because of nuisance or anti-social behaviour may be put in touch with services which can help them address the cause of their problems. The only way of getting in touch with floating support services if you are an ISHA tenant is by referral from ISHA. Floating Support is usually time limited, people who need ongoing support will usually move into an appropriate supported housing scheme.

For any queries concerning supported housing please contact Peter Ward, Supported Housing Manager on 020 7704 7347 email: peterw@isha.co.uk or Trevor Pearson on 020 7354 5451 email: trevorp@isha.co.uk.