Welcome to Cumberland Council’s first Supported Housing Strategy.
Having access to a range of good quality, safe, accessible and affordable housing is fundamental in being able to support people to live fulfilled, healthy and independent lives. Supported accommodation is important in delivering key services for vulnerable people and plays a crucial role in helping those who are vulnerable and disadvantaged because of ill-health, age, disability, or because of circumstances that mean they may not be able to live independently without being supported.
By providing a range of accommodation models that deliver care and support, and support through homelessness services we can ensure that peoples housing needs can be met by appropriate support pathways and preventive support services to allow people to have settled and secure accommodation where they can thrive.
Having a safe and stable home can make a life changing difference for people who need care or support. Supported housing helps people through difficult periods, supports recovery after crisis, and enables people to live independently and with dignity. It also plays an important role in reducing homelessness, easing pressure on health and social care services, and helping people move on safely from hospital or institutional settings.
At the heart of this strategy are the voices and experiences of people who live, or have lived, in supported housing. Their lived experience has helped shape our understanding of what works well, what could be improved, and what really matters in people’s day to day lives. We have listened to residents, service users and people with experience of homelessness, mental ill health, disability and other support needs to ensure this strategy reflects real lives.
The strategy has also been developed in partnership with supported housing providers, health services, social care, voluntary and community organisations and other local partners. By working together, we can plan the right types of supported housing in the right places, ensure good standards of quality and support, and create services that help people achieve their own goals.