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Rising to the challenge of temporary supported housing
Funding cuts put essential services for those transitioning out of homelessness at risk, writes Helen Driver, chair at Orwell Housing Association
Helen Driver is chair of Orwell Housing Association.
Funding cuts put essential services for those transitioning out of homelessness at risk, writes Helen Driver, chair at Orwell Housing Association #UKhousingNationwide, local authorities are under significant pressure to balance the books, and the budget cuts we see in Suffolk are a microcosm of a larger trend across the UK.
The £65m cut to Suffolk County Council’s overall budget and decision to press forward with its strategy to reduce funding for supported housing programmes within the next two years, threatens to have a direct impact on the availability and quality of temporary supported housing, leaving vulnerable tenants at risk of homelessness and without access to the provision and support they need.
Orwell’s homelessness accommodation supports individuals with a wide range of needs, from young people at risk of homelessness, to women fleeing domestic abuse. The support we provide goes far beyond shelter and can include mental health services, addiction counselling for drug and alcohol misuse, educational support and job assistance—it’s an holistic approach tailored to each individual’s needs.
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Our supported housing offers not just a place to stay, but also the support needed to rebuild lives. It was with this in mind that I decided to take to the road on a charity cycle, fundraising for Orwell’s Make a Difference fund, which assists customers during times of need, and to raise awareness of the challenges and threats cuts to funding pose to these vital services.
The 50-mile cycle challenge between two of Orwell’s temporary supported housing schemes – Hinde House in Norwich and Christchurch House in Ipswich – provided a welcome opportunity to meet with tenants, hear first hand of the invaluable lifeline our staff and services provide, and a chance to thank Orwell’s dedicated, talented team for the tireless work they do.
“It is imperative that the next UK government recognises the critical importance temporary supported housing plays within the wider social housing sector”
Readers need no reminding of the impact of the housing crisis in England; 1.3 million households on waiting lists, 112,660 households in England in temporary accommodation, among them more than 145,000 children. The demand for temporary supported housing has soared, and councils are spending millions more than pre-pandemic levels. This is no fleeting trend.
As we look to the future, it is imperative that the next UK government recognises the critical importance temporary supported housing plays within the wider social housing sector and takes decisive action to protect these essential services and ensure they are enhanced and expanded to address ever-changing needs.
This requires a focus on funding and political will, and commitment to develop a sustainable, long-term strategy for temporary supported housing that accounts for the increasingly complex and additional needs of tenants.
Investing in temporary supported housing isn’t just the right thing to do, it’s the smart thing to do. It’s about breaking the cycle of homelessness and recognising the wider social benefits that investment brings – stability and improved life outcomes for the individual, and long-term savings and economic opportunities for society as a whole.
“Investing in temporary supported housing is a testament to our collective humanity”
It’s more than a question of economics, it’s a choice about what kind of society we want to be. Do we turn a blind eye, or do we extend a hand? Investing in temporary supported housing is a testament to our collective humanity.
Our message to the next UK government is loud and clear: investment in temporary supported housing not only aids those in immediate need but, as part of a wider programme of investment in social housing, contributes to the long-term health and economic prosperity of the wider community.
What’s next? My bike may be back in the shed, but the challenges faced by temporary supported housing continue. Meeting those challenges requires ongoing dialogue and collective action. Together, we can build a foundation for change – one where every person has a place to call home. Together, we make a difference.
Helen Driver, chair, Orwell Housing Association
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