A Lancashire MP has praised the value of supported housing during a visit to Abbeyfield House in Garstang.
Cat Smith MP visited the scheme during Supported Housing Week to meet residents and learn more about how sheltered housing supports older people to live independently.
Ms Smith said: "It was a pleasure to visit local residents at Abbeyfield House in Garstang for Supported Housing Week.
"The scheme plays a vital role in supporting older people, giving residents the independence of their own space while making sure no one is left without company or support."
Abbeyfield House is managed by the Abbeyfield Living Society (ALS), a not-for-profit organisation that provides sheltered housing, residential care and independent living for older people across England.
The visit included a tour of the facilities and conversations with both residents and staff.
Residents spoke about what makes Abbeyfield House special, while staff shared insights into their work and the broader challenges facing the supported housing sector.
ALS schemes offer a balance of independence and community.
Residents have their own rooms but also benefit from communal spaces, daily meals, a programme of activities, and help with household and garden maintenance.
Despite these benefits, supported housing faces ongoing threats.
Funding for the sector was cut by 75 per cent between 2010 and 2020.
The National Housing Federation reports that 50,000 supported housing properties are at risk of closure or decommissioning.
An additional 129,000 placements are projected to be needed by 2040 to meet demand from an ageing population.
Ms Smith said: "Speaking with residents, it was clear how much they value the safe, welcoming environment and the strong sense of community.
"We need to make sure services like Abbeyfield House, and others across the North-West and around the country, are properly supported, so that they can carry on delivering the high-quality care and community older people deserve."
Supported Housing Week is a campaign led by the National Housing Federation.
It calls for sustainable long-term funding, protecting Housing Benefit for supported housing rents and service charges, and investment in wider public services such as mental health and social care.
The visit forms part of ALS’s wider work to engage with policymakers on housing and support for older people.
Share