Supported and specialist housing market position statement

11.1 Headlines

• The number of single people over 25 years owed a homeless duty (prevention duty and relief duty) increased by c.15% between 2020/21 (587) and 2023/24 (674).
• The number of placements into temporary accommodation spiked in 2020/21 following the COVID-19 restrictions and ‘Everyone In’ initiative. In 2023/24 there were 387 placements to temporary accommodation.
• The existing provision of under 25 supported housing and outreach is working well to accommodate under 25s and at the current time.
• However, the complexity of need is increasing amongst under 25s, particularly in relation to mental health.
• The number of homeless households that require support because they are veterans indicates that the number has remained relatively stable between 2020/21 and 2023/24, with an average of 1 household each year.

11.2 Evidence from stakeholders and the Council's priorities

The under 25 supported housing pathway is working well with adequate supported housing provision. 

There is an increasing number of people experiencing homelessness in North Tyneside and alongside this, the support needs of homeless people are also becoming more complex. 

There is an increasing proportion of people experiencing homelessness who also have multiple and complex needs, i.e. drug and/or alcohol related needs and/or mental health related needs, experiences of trauma, instances where sexual orientation or gender identity may have led to homelessness. 

Due to insufficient of supported housing provision, some people with high support needs are being accommodated in general needs accommodation with no access to support.

There is demand for over 25 supported accommodation for single people including, people with extensive offending histories, people with a history of arson, people that have committed sex offences, and for people with care needs due to long term drug and/or alcohol abuse.

11.3 Evidence of need and the Council’scommissioning intentions

People over 25 years 

The estimated additional need for supported accommodation for the over 25 cohort is 1 additional unit by 2029/30 and 2 additional units by 2034/35.

 Estimated additional need for supported accommodation for people experiencing homelessness.

People under 25 years

The estimated additional need for supported accommodation for the under 25 cohort is 2 additional units by 2029/30 and 5 additional units by 2034/35.

Estimated additional need for supported accommodation for the under 25 cohort in North Tyneside

Based on the evidence from the supported housing need assessment, there is not a current (2024/25) need for additional supported housing for people under the age of 25 experiencing or at risk of homelessness. The existing supported housing pathway is working well for under 25s and is anticipated to be able to meet the modest increase in need estimated to 2034.

The Council has tendered for supported housing services for people over 25 years who are homeless and through this process expects to be able to meet the estimated increase in need from the supported housing need assessment.

Veterans 

The estimated additional need for supported accommodation for veterans is 0 additional units by 2029/30 and 0 additional units by 2034/35. 

There is not anticipated to be a need for supported housing specifically for veterans; the housing needs of veterans will be met through existing supported housing or through general needs housing with support.