Thriving in rented housing

Good quality, affordable, rented housing is essential for the delivery of appropriate social and health care for people with learning disabilities living in the community. However, it is widely acknowledged that both the provision of housing and the availability of social care is increasingly constrained with budget pressures and a focus on crisis interventions. Within this context, it is important to find out about the present experience of renting in the community for people with learning disabilities and how this can be improved and better supported into the future. 

• Aims

  The aim of the study was to understand the ways that people with learning disabilities who are on the edges of social care can be better supported to access and enjoy living in their own tenancies in the community, when this is their choice. 

• Methods

  The first stage of the study involved nine major regional/national online events involving 100 people and a review of key local authority learning disability strategies. The second stage involved 35 detailed interviews with people with learning disabilities living in social housing and private rented tenancies. Twelve interviewees also recorded their experiences of housing and home in a creative way using photographs and craft materials. 

• Findings

  Thriving in Rented Housing project findings

  The findings from this study clearly demonstrated that more people with learning disabilities should be offered the opportunity to rent their own place, particularly within social housing. The vast majority of people interviewed enjoyed living in their own tenancy and preferred this to other accommodation options. However, the study identified a number of improvements needed to ensure that both suitable housing and support options are in place.

  In terms of housing, access to renting in both social housing and the private rented sector needs to be improved substantially. This includes providing more choice of properties and locations, as well as better information and support with the process of accessing housing. More accessible, easy-read information is needed at all stages. People also need formal, targeted support to assist with the process (and/or the process itself needs to be more accessible) – this could be via social care or specialist housing support workers within the council or housing associations. Housing providers also need more information on the needs and capabilities of people with learning disabilities and to make reasonable adjustments to their processes.

  The study also found gaps in social care, particularly in terms of low level support for ongoing needs. This was sometimes being plugged by informal carers, but self-advocacy groups and/or employers were also key players here. The role of these ‘hidden’ community support providers requires recognition and specific funding available to support this. In addition, in line with people’s preferences, gaps also need to be identified and addressed within the formal sector. This includes reviewing eligibility criteria for social care as well as the commissioning of low level, flexible and ‘preventative’ services by local authorities. This will require better joint working and commissioning procedures between social services and housing (and health) to ensure a joined up approach is taken to meeting needs to ensure that people can rent their home if they chose to. 

• Resources and publications

  Thriving in Rented Housing project findings project website

  Quilgars, D, Leishman, E, Abbott, DWF, Clarke, S, Cooper, B, Hodgkins, S, Scarrott, P, Pollin, A & Beech, L 2024, ‘“I wouldn’t change my flat for anything.” Is there Scope for more People with Learning Disabilities to Rent their own Homes?’, British Journal of Learning Disabilities, vol. 52, no. 2, pp. 362-370. https://doi.org/10.1111/bld.12584

  Leishman E, Quilgars D, Abbott D, Clark S, Cooper B, Pollin A, Hodgkins S, Scarrott P. Working collaboratively with an online advisory group of people with learning disabilities in covid-times: carrier pigeons, cats and drones. Res Involv Engagem. 2023 Sep 9;9(1):79 10.1186/s40900-023-00494-7