The Housing Committee of Redbridge Council met on Wednesday 2 September 2026 to discuss the development of a new Supported Housing Strategy. The meeting focused on understanding the current landscape of supported housing, identifying future needs, and gathering input from councillors to inform the strategy's development.

Supported Housing Strategy Development

The committee received a presentation on the proposed Supported Housing Strategy, a statutory requirement stemming from the Supported Housing (Regulatory Oversight) Act 2023, which must be published by March 2027. Andrew Billany, Director of Housing, and Ben Tomlinson, Head of Housing Strategy, Quality and Assurance, led the discussion.

Supported housing was defined as accommodation provided alongside care, support, or supervision to enable independent living within the community. It was distinguished from care homes, offering a middle ground for individuals with varying needs. Three main categories were outlined:

• Short-term and transitional housing: For those experiencing homelessness, care leavers, victims of domestic abuse, and individuals in hostels or requiring resettlement.
• Working-age disabled adults: Providing support for individuals with mental health issues, learning disabilities, autism, or physical and sensory impairments, enabling long-term independent living.
• Older people: Including sheltered housing and extra care housing, designed to support older residents as their care needs evolve, aiming to enable them to live independently for as long as possible.

The strategy aims to address the growing demand for supported housing, driven by an increasing elderly population and ongoing pressures related to homelessness. Councillors raised concerns about the availability of ward-level data on provision and demand, the need for clear supply and demand figures, and the potential for certain wards to become overburdened. Officers acknowledged these data gaps and stated that a specialist provider would be commissioned to conduct a more thorough needs assessment.

Key challenges identified include rising demand for short-term and transitional housing due to factors like unemployment and the cost of living crisis, and the increasing needs of an ageing population, including those with visual impairments, dementia, and mobility issues. The strategy also aims to ensure the quality, location, and sustainability of the supported housing market, preventing exploitation and ensuring value for money.

The proposed strategy has four objectives:

1. Right housing in the right places: Ensuring sufficient, quality, and locally available provision.
2. Independence, prevention and positive move-on: Focusing on early help, clear pathways, and sustainable outcomes.
3. Health, wellbeing and inclusion: Promoting good health, skills development, and participation.
4. Partnerships, quality and co-production: Emphasising resident voice, assurance, and value for money.

The committee was asked to provide input on whether these objectives captured the right strategic priorities, identify any missing or overstated elements, consider local pressures and supply gaps, and advise on how to reach vulnerable groups. They were also asked to consider accountability for the council, providers, and partners, and how to measure success in terms of resident safety, independence, and inclusion.

A significant part of the discussion revolved around the consultation process. Officers outlined a multi-channel approach, including an online platform (Let's Talk Redbridge ), forums, focus groups, and targeted outreach. Concerns were raised about reaching vulnerable residents who may not have access to digital channels, with officers assuring that engagement would occur through existing service access points and partnerships with voluntary and community sector organisations. The need for communication in multiple languages was also highlighted, with plans to use online translation tools and provide plain English versions of documents.

A workshop is scheduled for November to allow for further member input before the formal consultation period begins. The final strategy is due to be published by March 2027, with a review planned annually. The committee was also informed that there was no additional specific funding announced for this strategy, but that the council would continue to seek grant opportunities.

The meeting concluded with a commitment to further discussion and input from councillors as the strategy develops.