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Many adults with assessed needs are unable to access the appropriate housing and support they need, where they need it; which leaves them isolated and vulnerable.

Provision of appropriate housing and access to appropriate support is crucial to living independently, being less reliant on high cost acute services and enables people to connect with their community.

INDEPENDENT LIVING homes can be delivered across varied tenures to meet the needs of individuals and those working with them.

People with disabilities should be able to have the same access, choices and control in respect of how and with whom they live as non-disabled people do. Not having access to appropriate housing where they can live safe, independent lives can lead to mobility problems, poorer mental health and employment disadvantages.

The revised National Planning Policy Framework recognises the need for local authorities to determine the housing needs in their area and to plan accordingly over the lifetime of the Plan.

INDEPENDENT LIVING homes

  • Delivering high quality independent living homes for individuals with learning and or physical disabilities.
  • New build using a tailored approach to housing needs across tenures.
  • Designated for those with learning and/or physical disabilities.
  • Primarily two-bedroom homes flexible enough for carers and family to stay, integrated into a wider scheme which also contains family homes, rather than as part of a group environment.
  • Carefully designed, rich in assistive technology to enable people to live independently

National context

  • There are over 11 million people with disability in the UK
  • There are 1.8 million disabled people with unmet housing needs, 580,000 of whom are of working age. (Papworth Trust Facts & Figure 2018 Disability in UK)
  • 1.5M people in England have a learning disability but only 15% of adults with a learning disability have a secure longterm tenancy or their own home
  • Disabled people between the ages of 18-65 represent one third of social care users.

Housing context

  • Disabled people face problems in finding adequate housing and this is a major barrier to independent living. (Papworth Trust Facts & Figure 2018 Disability in UK).
  • Although the gap in non-decent accommodation has closed over recent years, 1 in 3 households with a disabled person still live in non-decent accommodation and 1 in 5 disabled people requiring adaptations to their home believe that their accommodation is not suitable.
  • 82% of local authorities say they have a shortage of suitable housing for adults with a learning disability and 67% say that it has become more difficult for adults with a learning disability to have their housing needs met.
  • Many people live with elderly parents, who worry what will happen to their children when they can no longer care for them.

As a result of this lack of appropriate local housing, and the support options that go with it, many people with a learning disability do not get a choice about where they live or who they live with. Too often they are moved into accommodation far away from family and friends, especially if they have complex needs.

How will Independent Living assist LAs and NPGs?

  • Helps deliver homes which improve the lives of those with learning and/or physical disabilities through careful design and the use of existing technology.
  • Provide solutions for people who require urgent housing and are at risk of entering inappropriate services like hospitals or residential care and for those who need to move into more independent living.
  • Encourage community-based solutions that promote independence and choice.
  • Saves money and resources - specifically adapted housing reduces the needs for costly hands on care and Disabled Facilities Grant budget.

How does independent living work?

Fund:

Homes funded by institutional investors.

Build:

Homes built to meet the needs of the individual.

Let:

Let at an affordable rent.

House types:

A two/three-bedroom home, wherever possible designed around an ingoing tenant. Total 1020sqft GIFA.

Key features:

  • Access to assistive technology.
  • Incorporating many lifetime homes features such as wider doorways, level access and provision for a stair lift.
  • Second bedroom for family or carer