Older People's & Supported Housing

We are recognised thought leaders in this vital area of social housing.

Local authorities now face a significant new statutory duty: to produce and publish a Local Supported Housing Strategy by 31 March 2027, and to update it at least every five years thereafter.

The government’s statutory guidance sets out a clear national framework, emphasising strategic leadership, robust needs assessment, strong partnerships, and a deliverable plan. ARK Consultancy is uniquely placed to help councils meet these supported housing requirements with confidence, precision, and impact.

The guidance makes clear that strategies must be grounded in a comprehensive assessment of current supply and future need. As it states, local authorities must “assess the current availability of supported housing within each district, and project the likely need… during the 5 years from the date the strategy is published”. It also highlights the need for strong governance and collaboration, noting that councils should “engage a broad range of partners early in the strategic planning process”.

ARK brings the expertise, capacity, and practical tools to help you meet every element of this framework.

1. We help you to respond to the statutory framework

The guidance sets out a structured process covering strategic priorities, partnerships, needs assessment, and delivery planning. ARK helps you interpret and apply this framework locally, ensuring your strategy is compliant, evidence-led, and aligned with wider housing, health, and care priorities.

2. We deliver robust needs assessments

The guidance recommends a four‑step approach to assessing need, beginning with mapping current supply and ending with estimating net additional supported housing requirements. It emphasises that the needs assessment must include “the current availability of supported exempt accommodation… and the likely need… over the next 5 years”.
ARK’s analysts and sector specialists bring:
• Deep experience in supported housing markets
• Advanced data modelling capability
• Strong understanding of social care, homelessness, and health datasets
• Qualitative engagement with residents, providers, and partners

3. We strengthen partnership working and governance

The guidance is explicit that strategies must be developed collaboratively. It also highlights the need for governance structures that reflect local circumstances.
ARK has the experience and expertise to support councils to:
• Design and facilitate governance arrangements
• Convene and manage multi-agency workshops
• Engage providers, ICBs, probation, and residents
• Build shared ownership of the strategy

4. We help you build a credible, actionable delivery plan

The guidance requires delivery plans to set out development pipelines, funding sources, referral pathways, void management approaches, and move-on pathways. It stresses the importance of clear, time-bound actions and annual review.
ARK works with you to:

Align supported housing with planning, social care, and homelessness strategies
Translate needs assessment findings into strategic priorities
Shape commissioning intentions and market-shaping activity
Develop realistic delivery actions and milestones
Identify capital and revenue funding opportunities

Get in touch

We have been supporting social landlords on Older People’s and Supported Housing for more than 35 years.

Strategic Reviews on Housing for Older People and Supported Housing

With clear evidence-based recommendations for change, we provide our clients with robust and insightful reports.

Our approach covers many aspects to give you the full picture.

Our strategic review provides:

Understanding of costs and performance
Examples from across the sector
Strategic direction
Options for assets, services and structures
Advice on income sources
Clear priorities with actions

We have a breadth of expertise to support you to implement the agreed actions from our detailed review.

Download Strategic Reviews Brochure

Regulation

With providers operating in an increasingly complex regulatory environment, we can help you to comply with the various requirements including the Supported Housing (Regulatory Oversight) Act 2023.

Services include:

Assessing existing provision against the new service and property standards that will be established after consultation.
Supporting local authorities to develop a supported housing strategy.
Supporting housing providers to apply for a licence granted by the local housing authority.

To learn more information about how we can assist you with your older people’s and supported housing schemes, download our brochure, or please contact one of the team below.

Download Brochure