Estuary Housing is joining hundreds of Housing Associations across the country to support the National Housing Federation’s ‘It Starts at Home’ campaign as uncertainty surrounds the future funding of supported housing.
It Starts at Home Campaign is an important initiative as it highlights the somewhat forgotten plight of some of society’s most vulnerable population and the importance of securing funding for them.
The National Housing Federation and its members are campaigning to persuade the Government to commit to ensuring that every person who needs extra support has a home that meets their needs.
As part of this campaign, I visited Estuary Housing Association’s supported living scheme, Leyland Court in Southchurch this week.
Leyland Court comprises of 24 one bedroom flats, the property is owned and managed by Estuary Housing Association and works in close partnership with Southend-on-Sea Borough Council’s Housing Department, Social Services Department and Southend Supporting People.
During my visit I had the opportunity to chat with some of the residents living at Leyland and heard their positive stories about how they had gained independence through supported housing.
One such resident told me that moving to Leyland Court had given her and her family confidence and a completely new lifestyle.
After visiting residents at Leyland Court, it was clear to me of the vital role these schemes play in helping people to live independently and with dignity.
With that in mind, the future of Supporting Living funding will be debated in Westminster Hall on Tuesday 10 October at 4p,, and I will be sure to attend.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank the residents and staff for being so welcoming and opening their doors to me.
To find out more about the campaign or to read stories from people living in supported living schemes visit startsathome.org.uk
As ever, if you have any questions around supported housing or any other issues that you feel I can assist with or a query that you would like to raise with me , then please contact me on 01702 616135 or email [email protected]