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
| Type of accommodation or housing provision | Number of people accommodated | Percentage of people accommodated |
|---|---|---|
| Residential or nursing care | 99 | 13% |
| Shared lives (adult placement) | 7 | 1% |
| Supported housing | 293 | 39% |
| Living with family or friends or informal carers | 288 | 36% |
| Mainstream housing | 82 | 11% |
| Total | 769 | 100% |
Estimated need of supported housing and accommodation by 2039 (units)
| Shared lives | Supported housing | Mainstream housing with paid support |
|---|---|---|
| 34 | 140 | 73 |