The Adults Social Care and Housing vision:

People live fulfilled, healthy, independent lives in the place they call home.

Adult Social Care & Housing services support people to remain safe and independent, living within their communities with a sense of belonging. The right home can improve the lives of peoples and their families. Our places have a strong sense of community that enhances the support we offer. We work with a range of partners, seeking a supportive collaborative approach that is focussed on delivering good outcomes for people.

As the Local Housing Authority, Cumberland Council has a statutory duty to understand and plan for the housing needs of its population. 

This strategy has been developed following the completion of the following studies and strategies:

• Cumberland Housing Strategy 2025 to 2039
• General Needs Housing Study by Arc4 Ltd
• Stock Condition Study (private sector) by Opinion Research Services
• Supported Housing Needs Study by Housing LIN
• Homelessness Prevention and Rough Sleeping Review and Strategy by Cumberland Council
• Temporary Accommodation review by Cumberland Council
• Market Position Statement for Adult Social Care Services by Cumberland Council 2025 to 2029
• Cared For, Care Experienced and Separated Young People Sufficiency Strategy 2024 to 2027

The aim of our Supported Housing strategy is to support the delivery of supported accommodation, including supported exempt accommodation in Cumberland, that provides choice, the right mix of accommodation options, tenure, affordability and support, and makes a difference through the offer of independent living.

Our key focus is to help people maintain their independence, whilst working with our partners to ensure that residents are receiving the right support tailored to their needs, and we can help our communities to have homes and services that they require.

The Housing LIN Supported Housing Needs Study provides a 15 year evidence base which sits behind this 5 year strategy. The Supported Housing Strategy will be reviewed every 5 years.

The Supported Housing Strategy sets out the council’s priorities to meet the housing needs of:

• older people
• people with learning disabilities
• people with autism
• people with mental health conditions
• people with physical disabilities
• people at risk of or experiencing homelessness
• care experienced young people

Whilst the strategy is in relation to the ‘cohorts’ of people above, it is recognised that people’s needs are often complex and that innovative approaches to housing and support that go beyond these ‘cohort’ definitions will be required and indeed desirable:

• an assumption that mainstream housing suitably designed or adapted will be appropriate for many people with care or support needs
• housing solutions may be multi-functional, for example, providing a mix of mainstream housing, supported housing and potentially other facilities
• all housing and supported accommodation for people with care or support needs should assist and facilitate inclusion in community life

Consultation and engagment

The relevance and success of this strategy has involved a wide range of key stakeholders and people with lived experience across Cumberland Council’s local communities. The council has worked with Social Care Institute for Excellence (SCIE) to support the development of a co-production toolkit that enables the council to complete comprehensive engagement with those who have lived experience in supported housing.

SCIE’s report on the outcomes from the engagement has provided meaningful and comprehensive feedback, which has enabled us to review and re-evaluate the priorities set out in this strategy.

The council’s experience of working with SCIE has fundamentally shifted the way we think about how we should be providing supported housing and services in the future. The development of toolkits has given the council a framework in which to work so that the voices of those with lived experience are heard.

SCIE toolkit

This toolkit supports the creation of a housing strategy.

Toolkit framework

The SCIE toolkit offers a structured ten-step framework for co-producing housing strategies with diverse communities

Focus on preference and needs

Step 4 centers on identifying residents' preferences and needs to inform housing and support system strategies

Expert guidance and flexibility

SCIE provides national expertise, guides workshop facilitation, and ensures toolkit adaptability for all cohorts.

Enable people with support needs to live as independently as possible in Cumberland.

Ensure the impact of the Cumbria Home Improvement Agency reduces hospitalisations, delays care placements and prolongs independence.

Ensure an adequate provision of quality accessible, adapted and affordable general needs housing and supported accommodation.

Establish closer working relationships with external agencies, organisations, and charitable bodies to ensure appropriate support is available.

Ensure housing advice is provided and easily accessible to those with support needs in Cumberland.

Explore and review good practice in other Local Authorities in relation to supported accommodation, support services and implement appropriate good practice in Cumberland

Ensure the housing needs of our population are reflected in the council's Local Plan.

Make use of public sector land and property to support delivery of supported accommodation, working with partner organisations when necessary.

Ensure there is sufficient access to mainstream general housing, and that move-on accommodation is in place, both with and without support, where required.

Ensure there is supported housing with 24/7 support in place to meet the needs of those with more complex support needs, with the aim of reducing the use of institutional care options.

Ensure effective partnership arrangements prevent barriers to rehousing and create housing stability.

Ensure new legislation requirements are embedded across housing that improve quality standards within the sector.

Improve the health and wellbeing of Cumberland residents through delivery of high-quality service and provision of suitable supported housing.

Ensure housing provision is equal to the challenges of the population and health inequalities.

Implement a joint commissioning approach across children's services and adult social care and housing that develops a robust provider market within Cumberland.

Embed lived experience, co-production and partnership working to strengthen service design, social value, improvement, and equality, diversity and inclusion.

Improve housing quality through responsive repairs, clear landlord communication and safe neighbourhoods.

Improve access to mainstream housing with support that is safe and close to amenities.

Cumberland faces demographic challenges driven by an expanding and ageing population with the older population (65 years and above) expected to grow much faster (increasing by c.32% by 2044 relative to 2021) whereas the working-age population shows a decline (c.3% lower in 2044 relative to 2024) as shown:

• 0 to 19 years old - fall by 1%
• 20 to 39 years old - fall by 5.2%
• 40 to 54 years old - fall by 5.4%
• 55 to 64 years old - fall by 21.4%
• 65 to 74 years old - increase by 13.1%
• 75 to 84 years old - increase by 30.8%
• 85 years and above - increase by 58.4%

Estimates of need for supported, specialist and accessible homes using qualitative evidence from a range of stakeholders has been used to inform this strategy are produced for the next 15 years to 2039.

Estimate of supported housing need to 2039:

• 13,896 accessible homes and 908 wheelchair adapted homes
• 6,600 units of housing for older people
• 174 units for people with learning disabilities and autistic people
• 118 units for people with mental health needs
• 70 units of accommodation for care experienced young people, and 36 units of general needs move-on
• 250 units of emergency temporary accommodation needed to meet increasing homelessness demands
• up to 94 units of specialist supported housing linked to homelessness are required to ensure there are positive pathways and move-on from temporary accommodation

What "home" means to older people

During our engagement sessions older people described “home” as closely connected to familiarity, independence and remaining part of their local community. Home was not simply a physical space, but the place where people felt settled, secure and able to manage everyday life on their own terms.

Some older people felt their current homes met their needs but expressed anxiety about how they would manage in the future, particularly in relation to stairs, bathrooms and general mobility.

Participants also spoke about loneliness as a growing concern as they age, with community-based housing and shared spaces seen as important in reducing isolation and supporting wellbeing over time.

"Living close to good transport links is really important to me when I think about housing options. I don't drive anymore and with no family living nearby, I need to be somewhere I can easily get a bus to do my shopping, attend appointments and still be able to attend the clubs I attend"

These findings underline the need for a Supported Housing Strategy that supports ageing in place, improves access to information and preventative support, and invests in accessible, well designed and aspirational housing options that older people would choose to move into. Together, these approaches are essential to enabling people to age well, safely and with dignity in Cumberland.

Our aim is for older people to have access to safe, secure accommodation that promotes independence and dignity. We aim to enhance quality of life through tailored support, social inclusion, and the prevention of unnecessary institutional care.

Current provision

Estimated need for extra care housing for older people to 2044

Estimated need for retirement or sheltered housing to 2044

What "home" means to people

Across engagement activities, participants described “home” as more than a physical building. Home was understood as a place of safety, familiarity, relationships and routine.

Home was described as being about relationships, feeling safe and being able to do everyday activities with the right support. Home is not defined primarily by tenure or building type, but by connection, familiarity and the ability to participate safely in daily routines. Practical support is closely tied to emotional security and confidence.

"I want to bake but need help so I don't burn myself."

"I need to live near bus services."

"I can go out on my own to the shop."

"I'd like to have a dog."

The engagement shows that home is experienced as safety, connection and everyday autonomy, rather than simply accommodation. Independence is expressed through practical daily choices and familiar routines.

Expanding genuine choice will therefore require more than increasing supply. The strategy should strengthen accessible information, support informed decision-making and ensure neighbourhood quality and safety are addressed alongside property design. Personalisation, pets and small elements of control also contribute meaningfully to people’s sense of belonging and stability.

Our aim is to support people with learning disabilities or autistic people to live independently. We aim to provide a range of accommodation to enable person-centred support and community inclusion.

Current provision

Estimated need of supported housing and accommodation by 2039 (units)

What "home" means to people

Across engagement activities, people with mental health needs described “home” as fundamentally about safety, privacy, stability and predictability. Home was closely linked to emotional security and recovery, shaped by past experiences of trauma, exploitation, homelessness or unsafe living environments.

Participants emphasised the importance of feeling safe and protected, having control over their own space, and knowing that support is available when needed.

"Having my own front door."

"Having my own kitchen, bedroom and living room is very important. I need my own private space, but I also like knowing people are around."

"Feeling safe is top priority."

"I did not want to ask for help in case they sectioned me. I thought if I said I was struggling I might lose my home and end up back in hospital."

For many, home was not simply a place to live, but a space where they could feel secure enough to rebuild confidence and manage daily life.

People described current supported accommodation positively because it provided a sense of security and predictability that they had not experienced previously.

Participants also spoke about the importance of having support available when needed, while recognising that access to support could be variable. Some described feeling hesitant to ask for help, particularly where past experiences had created fear that seeking support could lead to hospital admission or loss of their home. This highlights the importance of trusted, trauma informed support relationships alongside housing.

Our strategy will prioritise housing that supports recovery, reduces anxiety about future moves, avoids re-traumatisation, and enables people to live in safe, well connected environments with support that is reliable, trusted and proportionate.

Current provison

Estimated need of supported housing by 2039 (units)

What "home" means to people

Across engagement activities, participants described “home” as closely linked to independence, familiarity and the ability to live safely within their community. For many, home was not defined by specialist provision, but by whether a property enabled everyday life without unnecessary restriction.

"Bungalows in cul de sacs feel safe."

"Homes with access to good bus routes is essential."

"We want peace and quiet."

Participants expressed a strong desire to remain in their own homes or move within their local area, rather than into specialist or institutional settings. Familiarity, social connections and access to trusted services were highly valued, even where current homes were not fully accessible.

Home was described as somewhere people want to live long-term, including as needs change.

Participants valued homes that could be adapted over time, even if adaptations were not immediately required.

Living close to shops, public transport, health services and community amenities was consistently described as essential. Participants spoke about the impact of poor transport links on their ability to attend appointments, maintain routines and stay connected.

For people with physical disabilities, home is experienced as independence, continuity and safety within a familiar community. The ability to remain at home or move locally, adapt properties over time and access everyday amenities is central to wellbeing and quality of life.

Our strategy will prioritise adaptable mainstream housing and inclusive design, with location, access to amenities and community considerations.

Our aim is to provide accessible and adapted homes that will support independence and safety. We aim to provide accommodation that will enable community participation and improve quality of life.

Current position: estimated number of households with a wheelchair user in Cumberland

Current position: number of people requiring physical support in Cumberland receiving local authority funded support in 2023 to 2024

Estimated need for fully wheelchair adapted homes and accessible homes in Cumberland by 2039

What "home" means to people

Many people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness have multiple and complex needs, including mental-ill-health, substance misuse, experience of domestic abuse, involvement with the criminal justice system, or the challenges faced by young people leaving home and refugees.

To prevent homelessness from becoming entrenched, it is essential all people have access to the right accommodation, with the right support, at the right time; enabling them to stabilise their lives and move towards safe, settled housing.

People described home as somewhere they can feel safe and physically well, with working essentials and no hazards. The basics of warmth, dryness, security and safe electrics were described as central to being able to cope.

"Safe means no faulty wiring, no mould or damp that could affect me or my baby's health, and secure doors and windows."

"A nice flat that I could afford and pay all my bills. I have never lived long term anywhere, so to put down roots would be my ideal."

"A place they won't be forced to move on from again."

"I would love to have a house on a new estate and a good community where all the families are nice and there is no trouble. My house would have a garden for my daughter and it should be near a school as I do not drive."

Across our engagement, for people experiencing multiple disadvantage and homelessness, home is experienced first as safety, privacy and stability, rather than choice or aspiration. People’s expectations were often described in very basic terms — warmth, security, affordability and the ability to remain somewhere without fear of being moved on again.

The engagement highlights that housing systems are often experienced as high-pressure and low-choice, with people feeling they must accept whatever is offered even where it feels unsuitable. This undermines confidence and makes it harder to settle and sustain a home over time.

Our strategy will prioritise safe, stable and affordable housing pathways, clear communication and ongoing support beyond move-in, so that people can sustain tenancies and avoid repeated disruption.

Our aim is to ensure that everyone who is homeless, or at risk of homelessness, can access the right housing and support at the right time, so that homelessness is prevented wherever possible and does not become entrenched.

Temporary Accommodation (TA) currently absorbs the majority of homelessness demand, with limited step-down options for households who need more than emergency accommodation but less than institutional care.

This results in:

• longer stays in TA
• blocked move-on pathways
• repeat homelessness cases
• higher costs and less positive outcomes

Supported housing therefore plays a critical system role, sitting between crisis and independence.

Current council managed provision: Temporary Accommodation

Estimated need of supported housing and accommodation

What "home" means to people

Across our engagement, young people described home as a place that must first and foremost feel safe, warm and stable, before it can feel like somewhere they belong.

Safety was a dominant theme. Young people spoke about concerns related to neighbourhood safety, anti-social behaviour, and feeling unsafe both inside and outside their homes. Survey responses showed that many were not told about anti-social issues in the area before moving in, and practical features such as outdoor lighting were described as helping people feel safer.

"In the foyer there is a period of time when the staff leave and security start and that made me feel unsafe, at the weekend there was often no staff."

"Help to understand my thermostat and what the flashing lights mean."

"Having connections and a community is really important and everyone should have this, moving in by yourself is really lonely."

Home was closely linked to physical comfort and the ability to manage everyday living. Young people described difficulties with heating, damp and repairs, as well as uncertainty about basic household tasks.

Many young people spoke about loneliness, particularly when moving from foster care or residential settings into independent or semi-independent accommodation.

Having connections, a sense of community and opportunities for social contact were seen as essential to feeling at home, rather than optional extras. Loneliness was not only described as emotionally difficult, but as a factor that can undermine confidence, tenancy sustainment and successful transitions to independent living when people feel unsupported or isolated.

Our strategy will prioritise supported housing choices that provide young people with safe, good quality housing away from antisocial neighbours and poor living conditions. Ensuring that support is in place for transitionary periods to independent living and values consistency, providing empathetic support from staff and social services and information and practical advice to ease the process of becoming an adult.

Our pledge is to provide safe and stable accommodation to allow every cared for child, care experienced young person and separated child to develop independence and essential life-skills. We aim to allow them to grow, flourish and thrive and reach their full potential.

Current provision: supply of supported housing for care experienced young people

15 units were commissioned by Cumberland Council at Whitehaven Foyer. The foyer also accommodates other vulnerable young people, care experienced young people are one of the priority groups.

Estimated need for supported and move on housing required for care experienced young people

In addition, the data suggests there is an identified need for an additional 36 units of general needs housing stock per annum to be used as move-on accommodation for fully independent living.