Finding a safe home after hospital

Our new case study research shows that having the right home at the right time for a patient's recovery can save the NHS money. With the NHS facing chronically oversubscribed waiting lists, delays for treatment and funding pressures, our research shows that supported housing can contribute to getting our NHS back on its feet.

The case studies in this research all show how supported housing providers are working to solve the problem of delayed hospital discharges together with the NHS. By working in partnership, the barriers to housing for people leaving hospital can be broken down, freeing up hospital beds and promoting better physical and mental health outcomes.

The research shows how supported housing can improve hospital discharge for the main groups of people affected by delays: people experiencing homelessness, older people, people with mental health problems and people with learning disabilities and autism. 

We spoke with housing providers and NHS commissioners to explore what we can learn about how innovative schemes are developed, delivered and funded, the positive impact they have and the challenges they face. 

What recommendations does this research make?

With supported housing facing chronic funding shortages and financial pressures putting services at risk of closure, this research shows why we must make the case to healthcare providers and the government to help save our supported housing in the run up to the Spending Review later this year.

Without action, innovative partnerships like those featured in this research could be at risk. To help ensure the future of partnerships between health and housing, we're asking the government for:

• Collaboration between Integrated Care Boards and housing providers, supported by a national strategic direction set by the government. 
• Health and housing integrated into the long-term housing strategy and NHS 10 Year Plan.  
• Greater capital investment in supported housing and long-term revenue funding for hospital discharge schemes via capital grants. Reinstating the £300m Housing Transformation Fund and strategic planning with longer term financial settlements for local authorities. 

Share on social media

Help share the report's findings on social media, to help raise awareness of the important role support housing plays in supporting people leaving hospital.  

Download a social media graphic to share here. 

Read and share the report's coverage in The Guardian.