Government homelessness strategy

Advance has welcomed the government’s renewed commitment to supported housing as part of its new Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Strategy, which includes a £124m funding boost and plans to introduce a national licensing regime.

Supported housing is a vital lifeline for people with complex needs, including survivors of domestic abuse, people leaving homelessness and those with mental health conditions. Yet years of funding cuts, short-term settlements and the loss of ringfenced budgets have led to a decline in the supply of good quality suitable housing and rising pressure on the support services that are vital to ensure that tenancies are succesful.

The government’s announcement of £124m investment between 2026-27 and 2028-29, supporting more than 2,500 people in specific areas, is a welcome step towards rebuilding capacity. We’re particularly encouraged that funding will help boost new supported housing developments via the Social and Affordable Homes Programme.

Advance also supports plans to introduce a licensing scheme for supported housing, following consultation on the Supported Housing (Regulatory Oversight) Act 2023. Stronger oversight, alongside a requirement for councils to develop local supported housing strategies and the creation of a national Supported Housing Advisory Panel, has the potential to drive up standards for supported housing customers and tackle those poorly performing providers that undermine trust in the sector.

However, we worry that a three-year funding cycle alone will not be enough. To truly end homelessness and rough sleeping, supported housing must be underpinned by long-term, sustainable funding that recognises and reflects the real cost of providing trauma-informed, specialist support.

We look forward to working with government, local authorities and partners to ensure this strategy delivers safe, high-quality homes and support for the people who need it most.