Supported housing is in crisis, letter to PM Keir Starmer says

Housing supported, which helps weak or disabled people to live independently, is in a crisis, an open speech signed by more than 170 organizations in this sector.

The message that will be delivered to Prime Minister Kiir Starmer says today that the services in one of every three providers in England were forced to close last year, adding a total deficit of about 325,000 places. The signatories include a shelter, UK and the National Housing Union (NHF).

Blames the financing of the council and the high costs, NHF says that one in three of every three providers fear they will close unless the government pledges more money.

The government says subsidized housing is vital and focuses on building more houses.

About half a million people are currently living in the UK in subsidized housing, including fallen youth, army warriors, people with learning difficulties and those who escape from homelessness or home abuse.

The open message says: “The subsidized housing plays an indispensable role in cutting the accumulation of NHS, and reducing pressure on social welfare, temporary residence, and other vital public services.”

However, she says that the future of the housing supported is now at risk after “years of discounts in financing” and that the local authorities have now been forced to “stop vital services.”

“The high costs, in addition to the low financing, made many services insecure, forcing many to close, while the demand for subsidized housing continues to rise. The decision to increase national insurance contributions to employers increased pressure on the budgets of service providers.”

Organizations call for a long -term financing for housing -related support at least 1.6 billion pounds per year for councils and subsidized houses to be among the 1.5 million new homes planned by the government.

A spokesman for the Ministry of Housing, Communities and the local government said: “We are aware of the vital role that the subsidized housing plays in helping the weakened people to live independently and in good health, and its contribution to treating rough sleep and discharge in the hospital in a timely manner.”

The spokesperson said that the government put 2 billion pounds in increasing the construction of social homes at reasonable prices in 2026-27, with more details that will be determined in a long-term housing strategy later this year.

Hurry the austerity measures say that difficult financing options must be taken to balance the financial affairs in the United Kingdom.

However, Shaoxiong Liu says his family does not know what they will do without a residential place supported by his son Jason.

39 -year -old, Jason suffers from autism, a learning deficit and mental health challenges. As he is old, this has become increasingly managed to his family. After his illness, Jason was accepted to the hospital with blood rot in 2017.

Due to his difficult behavior and a state of severe vomiting, he remained in the hospital for several months as they struggled to find a long -term place that could accommodate his needs.

He was eventually developed with pre -housing, as his family says Jason has flourished in the eight intended years. Its weight increased from 35 kg to 53 kg, and it can go on bus trips and attend the social events organized by the housing provider.

“Jason’s behavior is much better now. He has lived there for a long time and he is happy there,” says Liu. “Jason is an adult now and we are in the seventies of the last century, so his behavior may be very dangerous for us if he lived with us – we could not take care of him.”

NHF says that a service provider included in the poll may have to stop providing services completely, which means that the loss of 70,000 homes supported throughout the country.

In 2009, funding for the flexible council for housing support was removed. When the council’s budgets were reduced during austerity since 2010, funding was needed in other areas, which means that some councils were on supported services supported.

NHF says that this means that there are now fewer homes supported by 2007, including a net loss of 3000 homes supported in the past three years. It is calculated that there is a complete shortage of up to 325,000 supported homes, based on the unparalleled need.