Housing and Home

The NDTi has a strand of work concerned with ensuring people are able to exercise choice and control over decisions about their housing, with any support that they need being provided in ways that help, rather than hinder their wellbeing and community inclusion. We have four particular strands of interest:

The development of non-institutional models of housing and support for people who need significant levels of support

In the 1970’s the NDT was at the forefront of supporting the closure of the long stay institutions. However, some service provision retains some institutional characteristics and so we work to promote person centred, individualised housing and support options for a variety of people, at different ages and stages of their life

The role of housing in the personalisation agenda

People need to have awareness of and access to a wide range of housing and support options. Unless individual budgets are used to enable people to move from residential care to supports where they have greater autonomy, a great opportunity will be lost. Funding sources such as ‘Supporting People’ need to work alongside social care and NHS funding so that people can make or retain their home at the centre of their lifestyle.

Housing rights and responsibilities

The current legislative and policy framework creates a tension between people getting the support they need and people having control over their home environment. This requires action both to ensure people’s rights are properly respected within the current arrangements and that action is taken to change legislation and policy for the future.

The importance of neighbourhoods and “place”

This is so that people’s homes are seen within the broader context of family, friends and other relationships, and support is available that enables participation in community and civic life where people live.