Have your say on the draft priorities for the new Supported Housing Strategy
Overview
What do you think of our proposed priorities to improve supported housing in East Sussex?
The priorities will be part of our new Supported Housing Strategy for East Sussex which is being developed by Eastbourne, Hastings, Lewes, Rother, Wealden and East Sussex Councils.
The strategy will set out how the councils will work together with partners to improve supported housing and make sure it meets the needs of local people.
We particularly want to hear from supported housing residents, their families and carers, housing providers and staff working in health and care.
What is supported housing?
Supported housing is a home that comes with support, supervision or care. It helps people who need some additional support to live as safely and independently as possible.
It is for people who need more support than they would normally receive in general housing, but who may not need residential or nursing care. For example, support for those who:
- have experienced homelessness
- are fleeing from domestic abuse
- are managing physical or mental health issues
- need additional support as they become older
There are different types of supported housing, including:
- housing for older people, such as extra care, retirement and sheltered housing
- long-term supported housing, including supported living
- shorter-term or transitional supported housing, which can help people prepare to live more independently.
Why your views matter
Local councils must publish a supported housing strategy by the end of March 2027. All the local councils are working together to produce a shared strategy for East Sussex.
The strategy will help us:
- plan for the supported housing that people will need
- work with housing providers to continue improving the quality of supported housing
- make sure supported housing is safe, suitable and well managed
- make sure residents receive the right support and have a say in the services they use
We have already produced a needs assessment. This looks at the supported housing currently available in East Sussex and how people's needs may change over the next 5 to 10 years.
The needs assessment was produced using feedback from residents in supported housing, housing providers and health and care services. This informed what the five priorities of the strategy should be, so that they reflect what people have told us about housing needs in East Sussex.
Taking part
The survey gives you the opportunity to comment on each priority, but you do not have to answer every question or comment on every priority.
The survey closes on 21 December 2026. It takes up to 10-15 minutes to complete. You can use the ‘Save and come back later…’ button at the end of each page if you don’t want to complete the survey all in one go.
If you need support to take part or need the survey printed and posted to you, in large print or on coloured paper, or in another format please get in touch using the contact details provided.
Help and advice for people with a learning disability: If you need help to have your say, please ask someone you trust, such as a support worker or carer, or contact us using the details provided on this page. You can also read our Easy Read leaflet on taking part here.
What happens next?
We will consider everything people tell us in the survey alongside the evidence they provide and use this to finalise our strategy and delivery plan.
The Cabinets in Eastbourne, Hastings, Lewes, Rother and Wealden Councils are due to adopt the final strategy in March 2027. The Lead Member for Adult Social Care is also due to adopt the final strategy in March 2027
We are working with Possability People, Common Ambition and Justlife to hear from people who live in supported housing. If you live in supported housing and would like to share your views or get involved, please email: inclusion@possabilitypeople.org.uk
Summaries of our five priorities
This survey has up to 8 question pages and up to 9 questions. You'll be asked if you have experience of supported accommodation and shown each priority, one page at a time, to give your views on. You can see a summary of each priority below:
Building in improvements on current provision
We want supported housing to be safe, suitable, good quality and well managed.
We will work with housing providers to prepare for new standards and licensing requirements. Councils will also work together to take a consistent approach to standards and address concerns about poor-quality housing.
Working together to deliver the supported housing we need
We want people to be able to find the right housing and support when they need it.
We will use our needs assessment to identify gaps, improve existing housing where needed and develop more opportunities for people to move on from supported housing when they are ready.
This should also help prevent homelessness and reduce pressure on temporary accommodation.
Resident involvement
People who live in supported housing should have a say in the services they receive.
We want residents and people with lived experience to help us design, commission and review services.
We will also work to improve safeguarding, manage risks effectively and support staff to provide good-quality, trauma-informed services.
People get the right support at the right time
People's needs can change, so support needs to be flexible.
We want housing, health, care and other services to work more closely together so people receive the support they need.
We will pay particular attention to people moving on from hospital or Children's Services and people living with multiple and compound needs.
People live healthier, independent lives
Supported housing should help people become more independent and maintain their home.
We want residents to have opportunities to develop life skills and access employment and training.
We also want services to identify problems earlier and provide support before they lead to tenancy breakdown, eviction or homelessness.
Privacy information: This survey is anonymous and we don't ask you to provide any personal information. Please ensure that any comments you make don't include any names or personal details of you or anyone else. The anonymous data will be shared with the local authorities working on the strategy, and the organisations supporting lived experience involvement in this work (Possability People, Common Ambition and Justlife). To read more about how your data will be stored and processed see our full privacy notice here.
Supported housing strategy priorities
Areas
- All Areas
Audiences
- Residents of East Sussex
Interests
- Housing
Share
Share on Twitter Share on Facebook