People with a learning or physical disability or mental health challenges will be given more support to secure permanent housing in a scheme funded through a tax on second homes.
The new approach has been heralded as providing a “step change” in the way that supported housing services are delivered in North Yorkshire and would also save millions of pounds of taxpayers’ money by not using more costly accommodation options.
New contracts start tomorrow (1 October) with two Yorkshire-based housing providers, Broadacres Housing Association and Horton Housing Association, and are being funded through the council tax premium on second homes that was introduced in April last year.
The premium effectively doubles council tax bills for second homeowners and raises more than £10 million annually.
A total of £1 million in funding from the council tax premium annually has been allocated to finance the upgraded supported housing service.
It is hoped that the new Living Independently For Everyone (LIFE) model will see 300 people benefit annually within four years of its introduction which would be a 142 per cent increase on the current number.
Our executive member for health and adult services, Cllr Michael Harrison, said: “Having a secure place to call home is the one of the key foundations of living a healthy and independent life, however for many it is something that can seem unobtainable and more of a dream than reality.
“For many reasons, including mental health challenges or a history of substance use or offending, some people find themselves in a position where they are moving from one temporary or insecure housing option to another.
“This new approach is a step change in the way that the service will be provided. It is aimed at ensuring more people get the support they need while providing the very best value for money for our taxpayers.”
Supported housing services provide short-term accommodation with help to allow people to develop the skills they need to manage their own tenancies and live independently.
Support on offer includes tenancy management and budgeting as well as meaningful activities, social networks and helping improve health and wellbeing.
Our executive member for housing, Cllr Simon Myers, said: “The service that we already provide has made such a difference to the lives of people who are needing support with housing the most. This new approach is due to build on all the good work that is already under way, and it shows how we are using the significant funds that are being generated through the second homes council tax premium.
“The benefits of the supported housing service are clearly evident and helping to give people the skills that they need to live independently as well.”
Demand is growing significantly with many people seeking support with mental health needs which are well beyond the scope of how the service was originally conceived.
It is hoped the new approach will streamline assessments while providing extra support sooner for people with complex needs and those who are not ready to own or rent their own home. A wider range of accommodation is also planned, and the scheme will also seek to reduce the number of evictions.
There will also be increased collaboration between the council and partner organisations to help people to secure sustainable long-term housing.
One woman who has already benefited from the support available in North Yorkshire had been living in temporary accommodation for more than a year following a breakdown in relationships with her family.
She was given support for mental health challenges and advice on managing her finances as well as help to further her education. She is now renting her own home, rebuilt her relationship with her parents and embarked on studies for mental health nursing.
The woman said: “I just wanted to say a huge thank you for all of the council’s support in getting me to where I am now – for all the encouragement, words of wisdom and believing in me.
“I am looking forward to a new exciting chapter, which has been made possible by the support I have been given.”
There are currently 158 people often with complex needs who are living in bed and breakfast accommodation in North Yorkshire.
Figures show that by helping people with these complex needs through supported housing rather than bed and breakfast accommodation would save £2 million each year while providing far better outcomes for the individuals involved.
The LIFE supported housing model is centred on the benefits of having one local authority spanning the county following the launch of our council in April 2023.
Responsibilities for housing and social care were spread across the previous eight councils before they were merged.
The new model will see Horton Housing Association providing support in the west of the county while Broadacres Housing Association has responsibility for the east of North Yorkshire.