Starts at Home Day: why supported housing matters more than ever

Every year, the National Housing Federation’s Starts at Home Day raises awareness of the importance of supported housing and the life-changing impact supported living brings to people with a learning disability, autistic adults and those with a mental health condition. It’s a campaign that resonates deeply with us at RWP, because we see first-hand how vital safe, specialised, and supportive living is for people who need it most.

Supported living is much more than just providing a home. It provides the foundation on which people can build their independence, improve their wellbeing, and live fulfilling lives. Yet the challenges of delivering this type of housing model are becoming more complex, making the Starts at Home campaign relevant as ever.

Specialised supported housing is a lifeline for many but providing this type of housing is not without its challenges. The cost of building, maintaining, and adapting homes to meet specialist needs continues to rise. What’s more, housing providers like us are subject to complex funding and grant arrangements, where we try to provide high-quality homes at an affordable scale.

Across the UK, demand for supported housing is growing. We know that many people are living in accommodation that isn’t fit for purpose because there simply aren’t enough homes to meet need. And people’s support needs change so supported housing providers must ensure that homes can be adapted over time.

Supported housing is often less visible and perceived differently from mainstream housing. That means its importance is not always fully understood by policymakers, or even the wider public. This can lead to funding uncertainty and a lack of long-term planning.

At RWP, we work hard to address these challenges with local authorities, support providers, and families to deliver homes that enable people to thrive.

We know that no two people are the same. That’s why our homes are carefully designed or adapted to meet a wide range of support requirements. From fully accessible homes with specialist equipment to small shared homes that encourage independence, we want our tenants to have the right environment to flourish.

Collaboration is at the heart of our approach. By working closely with support providers and commissioners, we can deliver homes that are sustainable and person-centred. We are committed to developing more supported housing to meet growing demand. That means looking for opportunities to invest in new developments, refurbish existing properties, and ensure our portfolio remains fit for purpose.

Part of RWP’s mission is to raise awareness of the importance of specialised supported housing. We collaborate with decision-makers, local communities, and partners like the Learning Disability and Autism Housing Network and Learning Disability England to make the case for continued investment. National campaigns like Starts at Home provide an opportunity for these voices to be heard and highlight the difference supported housing makes.

It is an opportunity to call for continued recognition and investment because when people have the right home and support, they thrive.