Supported housing

Advice for providers

If you are a local landlord aiming to offer supported accommodation in the district, you will need to:

  • Ensure you have the right licences in place - for example if you have a house in multiple occupation you will need to apply for an HMO licence. 
  • Depending on the current use of the building and the nature of supported accommodation you aim to provide, you may require planning permission. We recommend you speak to our planning team for advice. 
  • If you need advice on whether or not your property could be considered supported exempt accommodation*, please contact our benefits team.
  • If your accommodation offers personal care (e.g., assistance with washing, dressing, or medication), you will need to register with the Care Quality Commission - find out more.
  • You must also make sure you have all the relevant policies, procedures, insurances etc in place to support your organisation and your future tenants. 
  • We also recommend you engage with Staffordshire County Council’s social care teams to understand their requirements and any funding options - find out more.
  • Once set up and registered, if you would like our housing team to refer customers to you, please contact our housing team.

*Supported exempt accommodation

Supported exempt accommodation refers to properties in which tenants receive care, support or supervision for the purpose of enabling them to live or adjust to living independently within the community.

Such accommodation can be exempt from the usual housing benefit rules, which place an upper limit (cap) on the amount of benefit people can claim. The reason for the exemption is that supported exempt accommodation can be more expensive to run than properties offering general needs tenancies.

To be classified as supported exempt accommodation:

  • The landlord must be a not-for-profit organisation, a registered community interest company (CIC) or registered provider (housing association).
  • The landlord must have a legal interest in the property concerned, whether this be ownership or lease.
  • The tenant must need care, support or supervision.
  • The support to meet these needs must be provided by the landlord or on its behalf.

If you need advice on whether or not your property could be considered supported exempt accommodation, please contact our benefits team.