Housing strategy/prospectus

Supported Living

Our demand predictions for learning disability, autism and mental health indicate the amount of specialist and supported housing required will continue to rise over the next ten years. Our work with people who live in supported living now or who may in the future tells us that lifestyles are changing and people prefer different housing options to help them live the life they want.

To meet this new demand, it is estimated Cheshire West and Chester will require at least 350 NEW units of specialist supported accommodation for people with a learning disability, autism or mental health need to be developed over the next 10 years. We will require at least 25 new demand units and 20 replacement units to be built within the next 12 months (by March 2026) with a further 25 new demand and 10 replacement units by March 2027 (to enable people placed out of borough to return to Cheshire West).

Replacement units means decommissioning some of the existing shared housing models and replacing with new models which could include new build, redesign or repurpose of our existing shared housing to enable more independent living. The numbers here also include replacing units we commission in other Local Authority areas to support bringing people back in borough and closer to home. 

Replacement units could include, for example, working with current tenants to co-design and build alternatives to reflect what they want from a home and how they want to live their life; adding modular buildings or building annexes to allow for more independence; or, enhancing assets already in the borough. 

More than half of our population of people with a learning disability are aged between 45and 64 therefore we need a mixed economy which provides housing that can be easily adapted and made more accessible for people as they age and offers long term solutions to help families plan.

To meet new demand, an ageing population and changes in lifestyles we particularly want to see more ‘core and cluster’ or 'extra care' type models of housing which include self-contained private accommodation units with a communal area where people can meet their care workers, friends or relatives. Developers should consider use of technology to further enhance independence and ensure they are futureproofed to allow for people to stay for as long as they want as they age. These spaces are not expected to be especially adapted or large, but could form part of a larger housing scheme.

There is a concentration of multiple occupancy accommodation in Ellesmere Port and Winsford, but there is demand in other parts of the borough such as Chester, Northwich and Neston as well as our rural areas in the north and south of the borough for the wider range of accommodation options. Any locations chosen for development require proximity to shops, leisure, work, education and transport options. 

Young People Preparing for Adulthood

The number of young people with additional support needs who require specialist accommodation and support to help them prepare and move into adulthood is growing. These young people who are supported by Children’s services need housing with support which they can move into from the age of 16 and remain in beyond their 18th birthday and which supports them to move to long term supported tenancies or independent living. This type of accommodation should suit care leavers and those people with a learning disability, autism or mental health need. 

To meet this demand we want to work with a housing provider/developer and social care providers to bring on line up to 60units of specialist housing for young people aged 16-25 with additional care needs which has a part dual registered(Ofsted and CQC) social care service offering short term tenancies for 16-17year olds to support greater independence. We require these units to be brought online within the next two years (by March 2027).

These units could be part of one large scheme, several smaller schemes or a core and cluster dispersed scheme but they must be located conveniently in towns close to shops, leisure, education and employment opportunities as well as transport options. They should be a mix of accommodation types which support people, as they prepare for adulthood, to gradually move to more independent settings.

Very Specialist Housing with Support

Use of technology

New housing stock must be future proofed. We want housing, social care and technology providers to collaborate to fit new housing stock or retrofit existing stock with technology systems which enable the interface of multiple applications of software or hardware which can support greater independence for the people living there and/or allow more efficient staffing solutions to be deployed.

The Council is open to discussing the funding of technology pilots with any interested developers or social care providers.

We would encourage housing developers or Registered Providers to work together with adult social care providers to identify opportunities for developing new housing developments with on site care and support.

Working with Cheshire West and Chester Council

We would welcome a conversation with any provider or developer interested in developing in Cheshire West and Chester. Commissioners will support you with understanding demand, need and optimum location as well as commissioning approaches and likely housing benefit income. 

Our dedicated Specialist Housing Development Officer will work with you to bring developments on line, including identifying potential land acquisition opportunities, liaising with Planning and other internal Council functions and identifying other financial and non-financial support the Council can offer. 

For a discussion, please contact sarah.padmore@cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk