WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW TO GET INVESTMENT FROM THIS FUND

The Resonance Supported Homes Fund launched in July 2020 as a solution to the acute housing shortage that leaves thousands of adults with learning disabilities, autistic people and mental health issues living in inappropriate housing such as long-term hospital inpatient facilities (assessment and treatment units), or on long waiting lists awaiting the right housing for their needs. All of which can lead to poor personal, health and societal outcomes with some people becoming ‘institutionalised’, facing multiple barriers to discharge.

  • 1.5m people in the UK have a learning disability
  • 1 in 100 people in the UK have autism
  • 21.7% of people in the UK with a learning disability do not live independently or with family and friends
  • 2,215 people with learning disabilities and/or autistic people were living in inpatient facilities at the end of March 2023, 64% of whom are autistic people

The fund is structured to achieve significant social impact in learning disability, autism and mental health, by providing bespoke Specialised Supported Housing (SSH) and is centred around the individual, ensuring their voice and their needs drive the decisions behind finding the right home and determining the right level of support.

Working in partnership with the fund, initial housing provider partners United Response, Reside with Progress and Golden Lane Housing identify and ensure every property the fund purchases is right for the needs of each tenant. For some people this might be shared housing in a house or bungalow and for others, self-contained studios in a larger property. Importantly, all properties are based within local communities, close to amenities and facilities. Once purchased, the fund refurbishes and refits properties according to tenants’ needs before leasing them to its housing partners. Properties are then let to people with learning disabilities and autistic people with a secure tenancy. Tenants are also provided with and choose the level of specialist support they need in order to manage their tenancies and lead their lives with choice and independence.

Read the fund's latest social impact report

The impact of the learning disability and mental health sector housing and support provider partners to reliably scale up the provision of appropriate housing in the community for this group is huge, with current property investment structures not tailored to their needs.

If your organisation needs property to house people with learning disabilities, mental health problems or autistic people and deliver more impact in this sector, we would like to hear from you.

QUOTES

“We all need a place to call home; this fund will make this a reality for many more people with a learning disability, autism or mental health condition.”
Tim Cooper, Chief Executive, United Response

“As demand for supported living accommodation in the county grows and as people live longer, it is through programmes such as this one that we are able to provide the support needed. We will empower people to live the lives they want to lead, in their communities, close to their friends and families, and with as much independence as possible.”
Councillor Jenny Hannaby, Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care