The current and future housing needs of people with learning disabilities

Housing for people with learning disabilities and autistic people is in short supply, and research shows that up to 34,500 supported living units will be needed by 2037 to meet demand.  Here, Ian Copeman discusses the importance of person-centred planning and co-design and explores several innovative housing schemes that provide valuable insights into best practice.

The housing landscape for people with learning disabilities and autistic people in England is facing critical challenges and transformative opportunities. As highlighted in a groundbreaking report by the Housing LIN for the Learning  Disability and Autism Housing Network (LDAHN), there is an urgent need to address the growing demand for appropriate housing solutions that support independent living and improve the quality of life and accommodation choices for people with learning disabilities and autistic people.¹

Current housing needs and challenges

The cross-party Women and Equalities Committee has recently called for increased support for access to and availability of community-based alternatives to inpatient settings for people with a learning disability and autistic people.²

However, supported housing options for individuals with learning disabilities and autistic people are insufficient to meet demand. Analysis by the Housing LIN reveals there is an estimated need for between 27,000 to 34,500 units of supported housing by 2037.¹

The research for the LDAHN emphasises that many individuals are living with ageing parents, in residential care homes that may not meet their needs, or in inappropriate settings such as hospitals due to a lack of suitable housing. This situation often leads to a loss of independence, increased stress on families, and sometimes inappropriate placements that do not cater to the specific needs of the individual.

One major challenge is the shortage of public capital grant funding and sustainable revenue for developing new supported housing schemes. The complexity of securing adequate funding, coupled with the need, in some instances, for specialised design features to accommodate people who need complex support, can add to the procurement and development costs of such housing and make the way housing-related support services are commissioned more challenging.

This can be further complicated by a lack of awareness and understanding among some local authorities and developers about the specific housing aspirations of people with learning disabilities and autistic people, leading to a gap between the available housing supply and the homes that are required in the future to meet people’s needs.

Future housing needs and strategic solutions

The report outlines several strategic recommendations to address the future housing needs of people with learning disabilities and autistic people. A key recommendation is the need for a significant increase in the number of supported housing units to meet the reported shortfall of provision.

The report calls for a coordinated approach involving local authorities, housing providers, and health and social care services to ensure that the planning, funding, and delivery of housing solutions are aligned with the needs and wishes of people with learning disabilities and autistic people. This requirement is part of the new responsibilities for local authorities under the 2023 Supported Housing (Regulatory Oversight) Act.³

Innovative models of supported housing are highlighted as potential solutions. These include the development of mixed-use schemes that integrate supported housing within mainstream housing developments and provide housing that is designed to meet the needs of people who require complex support. Additionally, the use of technology-enabled care and smart home solutions can enhance the independence and safety of residents, as demonstrated by the personal stories told as part of the Technology for an Ageing Population: Panel of Innovation (TAPPI) project.^4,5

The research also stresses the importance of person-centred planning and co-design with individuals with learning disabilities and autistic people. Involving these individuals and their families in the planning and design of housing ensures that their specific needs and preferences are met, leading to better outcomes and greater satisfaction in terms of people’s living arrangements now and in the future.

Showcasing innovative housing schemes

At Housing LIN, we are committed to supporting our members, commissioners and providers to improve the housing choices of people with learning disabilities and autistic people. We have been working with key industry partners, including Learning Disability England, the Learning Disability and Autism Housing Network and the NHS Improvement Learning Disability and

Autism Programme to develop their local and regional housing partnerships to increase supply and showcase the latest research and practice.

Several innovative housing schemes provide valuable insights into best practice and successful approaches to both mainstream and supported housing for people with learning disabilities and autistic people, providing examples of how such housing solutions can be effectively implemented. These include:

St Edburg’s Path in Bicester and Nickling Place in Banbury, Oxfordshire

This scheme offers 12 purpose-designed bungalows for adults with learning disabilities and autistic people. The homes are self-contained, with private rear gardens and secure communal courtyards that include sensory areas for play and relaxation. This project was a collaboration between Cherwell District Council and Oxfordshire County Council, demonstrating the effectiveness of local authority partnerships in delivering specialised housing.

Cornwall Supported Living Homes

This housing development in Cornwall provides tailored, person-centred support for adults with learning disabilities. This scheme emphasises the importance of creating high-quality living environments that cater specifically to the needs of the residents, enhancing their independence and quality of life.

Social housing development in Bath

A landscape-led supported and social housing development has been designed to accommodate people with learning disabilities and autistic people in Bath. This new development was explored in a recent webinar by Housing LIN, with spokespeople from NHS England also discussing how they are working across local health, housing and care economies to improve the supply and quality of housing.

Learning Disability and Autism Housing Network Charter

The LD&A Housing Network Charter is a coalition of 12 housing associations calling for action to address the barriers to new, sustainable, high quality housing for people with a learning disability and/or autistic people, which highlights clear evidence that strategically planned and sustainable supported housing for people with a learning disability and/or autistic people provides long-term positive benefits for residents and delivers value for money for social care and health commissioners.⁶

Conclusion

The future of housing for people with learning disabilities and autistic people in England depends on collaborative and innovative approaches that address the current gaps and anticipate future housing needs. By increasing the availability of a range of housing options, incorporating technology, and ensuring person-centred design, stakeholders can create inclusive, supportive, well-designed homes that promote people’s independence in accommodation of their choice.

Ian Copeman, Business Director, Housing LIN

References

1. Housing LIN. Supported housing for people with learning disabilities and autistic people in England. 2023. Available at: https://www.housinglin.org.uk/Topics/type/Supportedhousing-for-people-with-learning-disabilities-and-autisticpeople- in-England/ [last accessed August 2025]
2. UK Parliament. Inequalities in healthcare and employment for people with a learning disability and autistic people – Report Summary. 2024. Available at: https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm5804/cmselect/cmwomeq/134/summary.html [last accessed August 2025]
3. UK Parliament. The Supported Housing (Regulatory Oversight) Act 2023: debate in parliament. 2023. Available at: https://commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-briefings/cbp-9668/ [last accessed August 2025]
4. Housing LIN. ‘Technology helped me get my life back’ – TAPPI Champion. 2023. Available at: https://www.housinglin.org.uk/News/Technology-helped-me-get-my-life-back-TAPPI-Champion/ [last accessed August 2025]
5. Housing LIN. Improve the way technology is used in housing and care. Available at: https://www.housinglin.org.uk/tappi/ [last accessed August 2025]
6. Housing LIN. Learning Disability and Autism Housing Network Charter. 2021. Available at: https://www.housinglin.org.uk/Topics/type/Learning-Disability-and-Autism-Housing-Network-Charter/ [last accessed August 2025]

This article is published in the June 2024 edition of In Focus

Ian Copeman

Ian Copeman is Business Director ay Housing LIN

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