Making sure Londoners get the housing support they need

Who needs support

A wide range of people may need housing support, including older people, rough sleepers, disabled people, people with mental health problems, victims of domestic abuse, gypsies and travellers, young people leaving care and ex-offenders.

Supporting independence

Many of London’s households require housing support to promote and maintain independence, better health and improved life chances.

For some, this is most appropriately provided in their existing home through floating support, while others require support linked to accommodation through supported housing. London boroughs receive Supporting People revenue funding to provide housing support services to around 130,000 Londoners.

The Mayor aims to support independence by:

• Ensuring that new housing developments achieve the highest standards of accessibility and inclusion. All homes should be built to Lifetime Homes standards, with at least 10% wheelchair accessible or easily adaptable for residents who are wheelchair users.
• Rolling out the London Accessible Housing Register so that disabled social housing applicants can more easily find out if a property may suit them.
• Increasing specialist accommodation-based support. This has fallen in recent years and the Mayor has a key role through his investment powers to ensure these additional supported homes are provided, 1,250 for the 2008–2011 investment period.
• Setting out proposed targets for gypsy and traveller pitch provision in each borough in his draft London Plan.

London Housing Strategy