Your housing options

Supported housing and hostels are accommodations run by specialist organisations. They offer expert support that ranges from weekly visits to 24-hour help. Their goal is to help people improve their life skills and opportunities.

Eligibility

You can only apply for supported housing if you've been referred to the council. You can get a referred from:

• Housing Needs Team

• Adult Social Care teams

• Children's Services

• community mental health teams in the borough

• Metropolitan Police

• London Probation Service covering Kensington and Chelsea

• registered social landlords (housing associations)

• community organisations within Kensington and Chelsea

Proof we need from you

You must also show us that:

• you're living in Kensington and Chelsea

• you have an established connection with the borough

• you are homeless and/or in housing need

If you're referred to us for supported housing

We'll carry out a detailed assessment to decide the best type of supported housing for you. We'll also ask to see relevant documents to help with this process. This can include:

• needs and risk assessment

• medical reports

• probation services reports

• housing histories

• documents that prove you are living in Kensington and Chelsea

• identification documents

• proof of income documents

If we need more information, we'll contact you or your referrer. We may ask you to visit us in the Town Hall for an assessment interview. 

If your application is unsuccessful

We will:

• inform your referrer, so you can explore other housing options with them

• add you to a waiting list if we believe supported housing is right for you

If you application is successful

We will:

• Tell you when we find suitable supported accommodation. This will usually come through your referrer.

• Share your referral and assessment details with the organisation managing the supported accommodation. They'll check and confirm whether the referral is suitable.

We'll also invite you to an interview to discuss the housing offer:

• If you and your supported housing provider agree it's a good housing option for you, they'll offer you a place.

• If you refuse the housing offer, we'll assess why you refused it. If your refusal was unreasonable, we will not look for further housing for you and we'll close your case.

• If the housing provider thinks you're not suitable, we'll try to find out why and keep looking for housing options for you.

Living in supported accommodation

If you've moved into supported housing, the support staff will create a support plan with you.

It's important that you work with them to meet the goals set out in the plan. This will help you develop the life skills to move towards independent living in the future.

It could include things such as:

• learning life skills such as cooking, cleaning and budgeting

• managing all aspects of your home so you're not at risk of losing it

• help with housing options including moving into independent accommodation in the future

• maximising income and budgeting skills

• registering with a GP and other health services

• accessing education, training and employment opportunities

• practical, social and emotional support

• accessing services in the local community, such as social and leisure activities

You'll also get to give feedback on how supported housing is commissioned and run in the borough. There are regular forums, focus groups and training for people who use our services.

Moving on from supported housing

Supported housing is not designed to be a long-term or permanent home. While you live there, support staff will help you prepare for future independent living.

When you're ready to leave, you will not automatically get preference for social housing (council or housing association).

Unless you have not worked for 6 months or are in exceptional need, you will likely move into a private rental home. Staff will assist you in exploring your housing options.