Publication - Advice and guidance
Supported Housing Task and Finish Group Summary Report
This sub-group of the Homelessness Prevention and Strategy Group was set up to consider the future role of supported housing for people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness. This is a summary of the main report.
1. About this report
1.1 Rapid Rehousing became core homelessness policy in Scotland in 2018. This focus on faster access to mainstream housing also created the need for a review of the role of supported forms of shared accommodation for two reasons:
- To bring supported housing more confidently, and proportionately, into the mix of housing options locally.
- To intersect homelessness policy with health and social care policy, which is to support people to live independently at home or in a “homely setting”.
1.2 The group met seven times over fourteen months between November 2022 and January 2024. The cross-sector membership of professional and lived experience helped achieve a rounded perspective and evidence-based approach.
1.3 The group’s recommendations draw from:
- Evidence and research on supported housing and on choice and control, including from the perspective of people who’ve stayed in supported housing.
- A survey with local authorities to achieve shared understanding of the current extent, nature, function and cost of supported housing locally.
- Expert contributions on specialist shared accommodation models, methods for assessing housing support needs, and gaps in current housing support provision.