Supported and Specialist Housing and Accommodation Needs Assessment For Essex County Council

This research undertaken by the Housing LIN has produced an evidence base providing estimates of future need for supported and specialist housing and accommodation for the administrative area of Essex County Council.

Based on a range of sources and data, the assessment covers population groups who draw on adult social care support funded by Essex County Council and others with lower-level needs who may not draw on adult social care from Essex County Council but who have support needs that affect their ability to maintain their housing and/or accommodation.

The estimates of the need for supported and specialist housing and accommodation are produced in five-year intervals from a base year of 2024 and will assist with the development of:

• commissioning intentions for supported and specialist housing and accommodation
• market position statements
• other local housing plans and strategies
• Supplementary Planning Documents, local housing need assessments, and other planning guidance
• the next iteration of Local Plans, future Unitary Local Plans and the Spatial Development Strategy to be produced by the Greater Essex Mayor.

The research also provides a baseline for current and future authorities to meet statutory responsibilities placed on local authorities under the Supported Housing (Regulatory Oversight) Act (2023).