Supported housing: Guidance for local authorities in England

The guidance has been developed to reflect the realities councils face in overseeing a complex and often fragmented supported housing market. The guidance draws on examples of existing good practice and sets out clear steps that councils can take immediately, as well as actions to consider in the short, medium and long term.

Supported housing provides a vital safety net for individuals with complex needs, including people experiencing or at risk of homelessness, care leavers, people with disabilities, and those with mental health or substance misuse needs. While many providers deliver high quality services that enable residents to live more independently and avoid crisis, some have been found to exploit regulatory gaps. The SHROA introduces new powers and responsibilities for local authorities (LAs), including a licensing regime that will bring greater clarity and consistency to standards across the sector.

The guidance is organised around five key themes: 

• developing a strategy and needs assessment
• optimising internal relationships
• optimising external relationships
• achieving a compliance and collaboration balance
• placing residents at the centre of supported housing. 

Each section contains practical recommendations, suggested tools and example checklists to support implementation. The aim is not to be prescriptive but to help councils identify which levers are available to them now, and which can be built over time, depending on local priorities and capacity.

Resources have been included in this guidance in the form of checklists, external links and appendices. This includes key tools such as an example Housing Benefit (HB) claims checklist, Specified Exempt Accommodation (SEA) support audit template and links to wider literature.

The guidance acknowledges the challenges some councils face in engaging non-commissioned providers, balancing quality assurance with legal constraints, and coordinating across departments. However, it also highlights how early and collaborative action can ensure quality, reduce costs to public services, and improve the consistency of local provision. Throughout, the focus remains on practical actions that can be taken without significant new funding, and on using existing resources and relationships more effectively.

Recent developments in the sector present an opportunity for councils to shape supported housing in their area in a way that reflects local values and needs, while ensuring that residents with complex needs receive the support they require in safe, high-quality accommodation.