Supported housing in England: Estimating need and costs to 2040

A new report commissioned by the National Housing Federation reveals there will be a shortfall of supported housing for everyone who needs one by 2040. Key facts include:

• Projecting a need for 167,329 more homes by 2040. This is a 33% increase, from 509,873 in 2023 to 677,202 in 2040. 
• Most supported housing will be needed by older people. 
• Around a quarter of homes will need to be tailored for working aged adults and the remaining 75-77% for older people. 
• There will be a need for 20-22% of homes to be short-term and help people in crisis, and 78-80% of homes to be long-term and provide a secure home for those who need it, including all homes for older people.

As also highlighted in our research with Learning Disability England and the Learning Disability and Autism Housing Network last year, the supply of supported housing has not kept pace with the increasing population of England. These findings suggest a shortfall of at least 50,000 homes with a projected demand that as many as 1.7 million people may need supported housing in 2040.