18-25 Supported Housing - Property Requirements and Opportunities

Finding suitable property for 18-25 supported housing

18-25 supported housing provides accommodation for young adults who need additional support while developing the skills and stability needed for more independent living. This can include care leavers, young adults with learning disabilities, autistic adults, people experiencing mental health challenges, and young people who need help maintaining a tenancy or moving on from temporary accommodation.

For landlords, investors and care or support providers, the property itself can play an important role in whether a supported housing service works effectively. Location, layout, safety, privacy, accessibility and the ability to provide appropriate support all need to be considered before taking on a property.

Fraser Bond can help landlords and providers assess property opportunities, coordinate property requirements and identify suitable accommodation for supported housing projects across London and the UK.

What is 18-25 supported housing?

18-25 supported housing is accommodation designed or allocated for young adults who require housing alongside some level of support. The support may help residents develop independent living skills, manage a tenancy, access education or employment, maintain routines and move towards longer-term accommodation.

The exact model can vary considerably. Some schemes provide shared accommodation with communal facilities, while others use self-contained flats or a mixture of different property types.

Current government guidance recognises long-term supported housing, including supported living, as well as transitional supported housing. Local authorities are also expected to assess current supply and future supported housing requirements in their areas.

Who may need supported housing between 18 and 25?

The age range can cover several different groups with different housing requirements.

Care leavers

Young people leaving care may require accommodation that provides greater independence without removing access to appropriate support. For some, shared accommodation or supported flats can provide a gradual transition towards independent tenancy arrangements.

Current government guidance requires local authorities to plan accommodation support for care-experienced young people, including those under 25 who may need help finding and maintaining suitable accommodation.

Young adults with learning disabilities

Some young adults with learning disabilities may need accessible accommodation and support with daily living. Depending on individual needs, this could involve a self-contained flat, shared house or specialist supported living arrangement.

Autistic young adults

Property for autistic adults may need careful consideration of noise, layout, lighting, communal spaces, privacy and accessibility. The right design will depend on the needs of the people who will occupy the accommodation.

Young adults with mental health needs

Some residents may need supported accommodation while recovering from a period of instability or developing the skills required for more independent living. The property should provide a safe and appropriate residential environment while allowing residents sufficient privacy and independence.

What makes a property suitable for 18-25 supported housing?

There is no single property type that works for every supported housing service. Suitability depends on the residents, support model, local requirements and intended use.

A property may need:

• Sufficient bedrooms and private living space

• Suitable communal areas where shared living is planned

• Adequate kitchen and bathroom facilities

• Safe entrances and exits

• Good natural light and ventilation

• Appropriate fire safety arrangements

• Reasonable accessibility for intended residents

• Space for staff or support workers where required

• Secure storage

• Reliable heating, water and electrical systems

• A location close to transport and everyday amenities

Older houses can sometimes be suitable, but refurbishment may be necessary before they can operate effectively as supported housing.

Shared houses or self-contained accommodation?

The choice between shared and self-contained accommodation should be based on the needs of residents and the service model.

A shared house can provide communal living, social interaction and a more affordable way of accommodating several residents. However, bedroom sizes, communal facilities, privacy and management arrangements need careful consideration.

Self-contained flats can provide greater independence and privacy. They may be particularly appropriate where residents are working towards managing their own tenancy while still receiving support.

Some providers use a combination of both models, depending on the needs of individual residents.

Location matters for 18-25 supported housing

A suitable property is not simply one with enough bedrooms.

Young adults may need easy access to public transport, colleges, universities, employment opportunities, shops, healthcare, leisure facilities and community services.

For London properties, the distance to Underground, Overground, Elizabeth line and bus services can be particularly important. A property in a well-connected area may give residents greater independence because they can travel to work, education and appointments without relying entirely on support staff.

Local demand should also be considered. A property can appear suitable on paper but still be unsuitable for a particular supported housing model if there is limited demand or the local authority's commissioning priorities do not match the proposed service.

What landlords should consider before leasing to a provider

Landlords considering leasing property to an 18-25 supported housing provider should understand exactly how the property will be used.

Important questions include:

• Who will live in the property?

• How many residents are proposed?

• Will residents have individual agreements or a shared arrangement?

• What support will be provided?

• Will staff be based at the property?

• Will the property require alterations?

• Who will manage repairs and maintenance?

• What planning or licensing requirements may apply?

• What insurance arrangements are required?

• How will the property be managed between tenancies?

The answers can affect the property's suitability, operating costs and lease structure.

CQC and supported housing

CQC requirements depend on the actual care or support service being provided rather than simply the fact that a property is described as supported housing.

For example, supported living can involve people living in their own homes while receiving care and support. The accommodation and care arrangements therefore need to be considered separately when assessing regulatory requirements.

Where a provider is delivering a regulated activity, it is important to establish the relevant registration and compliance requirements before the service begins operating.

This is particularly important when a property is being converted from ordinary residential use into specialist accommodation.

Refurbishing property for young adult supported housing

Refurbishment can make an ordinary residential property more suitable for supported housing.

Typical works may include:

• Reconfiguring internal layouts

• Creating additional bathrooms

• Improving accessibility

• Upgrading kitchens

• Improving fire safety

• Replacing outdated electrical systems

• Improving heating and ventilation

• Installing suitable doors and security measures

• Repairing structural or damp problems

• Improving communal areas

• Decorating bedrooms and shared spaces

The refurbishment strategy should be based on the intended residents and service model rather than simply maximising the number of bedrooms.

Investing in 18-25 supported housing property

Investors considering 18-25 supported housing property should look beyond the headline rental figure.

The underlying property remains important. Location, condition, configuration, ongoing maintenance and the strength of the proposed operating arrangement can all affect the long-term viability of the investment.

Investors should also understand the proposed provider, lease structure, management responsibilities, regulatory position and local demand before committing capital.

Government guidance now places greater emphasis on local authorities understanding supported housing supply, unmet need and future demand. This makes local market research particularly relevant when assessing specialist housing opportunities.

Finding property for 18-25 supported housing

Finding the right property often requires more than searching for a conventional rental or investment property.

Fraser Bond can assist landlords, investors, developers and supported housing providers with identifying suitable property opportunities, assessing the practical requirements of a proposed scheme and coordinating property-related works.

Whether the requirement is a shared house, self-contained flats, a larger residential property or a building requiring conversion, the property should be assessed against the intended service model before an acquisition or lease is agreed.

Planning an 18-25 supported housing property

The strongest projects begin with the residents' needs and work backwards to the property.

Before committing to a building, consider the intended resident group, support model, number of occupants, location, accessibility, fire safety, property configuration, planning position and ongoing management requirements.

For landlords and investors, getting these factors right can help avoid expensive changes after the property has already been acquired or leased.

Fraser Bond can support property owners and providers looking for suitable accommodation for 18-25 supported housing, from property search and assessment through refurbishment and ongoing property support.