Supported housing is accommodation that also provides care, support, or supervision to meet individual needs, helping people to live independently, safely, and with dignity.

Wolverhampton City Council previously delivered the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG)–commissioned pilot, the Supported Housing Improvement Programme (SHIP). This time‑limited programme was funded by central government and has now successfully concluded.

A successful programme with lasting impact.

The Supported Housing Improvement Programme was a significant success for Wolverhampton. It played a vital role in raising standards across the supported housing sector and strengthening protections for some of the city’s most vulnerable residents. The programme directly supported the Council’s Our City, Our Plan commitments by helping to prevent harm and exploitation and ensuring residents could access safe, secure, and good‑quality homes.

Through SHIP funding, the Council established a strong multi‑disciplinary team, bringing together expertise from:

  • Revenues and Benefits
  • Homelessness and Migration
  • Health and Social Care
  • Environmental Health

This collaborative approach enabled the Council to:

  • Improve the quality and management of supported housing
  • Strengthen oversight and compliance
  • Empower residents to better understand their rights
  • Improve value for money and accountability

The learning, partnerships, and improvements achieved through SHIP have created a strong foundation for future regulation and oversight.

While SHIP funding has now ended, the Council’s work to improve supported housing continues. Our main focus is now on implementing the Supported Housing (Regulatory Oversight) Act 2023.

The Supported Housing (Regulatory Oversight) Act 2023 was enacted on 29th August 2023. The Act will reinforce the work being done through the SHIP project by the Council, and the SHIP team will be on hand to provide advice and guidance to all Supported Housing Residents and Providers in the City regarding the implications and opportunities that arise from this new Government Legislation.

Supported Accommodation Needs Assessment

A Supported Accommodation Needs Assessment was completed as part of our programme as a Supported Housing Improvement Programme Authority for the Ministry of Housing Communities and Local Government (MHCLG).

The City of Wolverhampton Supported Housing Needs Assessment can be found in the downloads section.

Neil Morland & Co Housing Consultants were commissioned to complete the Needs Assessment.

Current Focus

We are:

  • Preparing for the introduction of a local supported housing licensing regime
  • Developing a five‑year Supported Housing Strategy, which will set out our long‑term vision and priorities
  • Continuing our work through the Supported Accommodation Review Team, who are working closely with supported housing providers and residents to drive improvement, raise standards, and strengthen outcomes across the sector

The Supported Housing Strategy will be published by 31 March 2027. It will build on the success and learning from the Supported Housing Improvement Programme (SHIP) to ensure supported housing in Wolverhampton continues to be safe, high quality, and responsive to residents’ needs.

Supported Housing Provider Forum

SHROA 2023 consultation: Government Response

Date: Wednesday 1st July 2026
Time: 10:30am – 12:30pm
Location: City Suite, Civic Centre, St Peter’s Square, Wolverhampton

The aim of this session was to provide an update to providers and to discuss the recent Government response to the Supported Housing Regulation Consultation. This response outlines important changes, including the introduction of national standards, a licensing regime, and strengthened oversight to improve quality and address poor provision across the sector.

Supported Housing providers were given the opportunity to consult on our Supported Housing Strategic priorities enabling co-production of our 5 year Supported Housing Strategy.

The presentation slides from all speakers can be found in the downloads section.

Guidance for new residents in Supported Housing

What is Supported Accommodation?

Supported accommodation provides safe, secure accommodation from which residents gain the confidence to begin their journey to move on in their lives.

Supported accommodation is available to provide you with the tailored support that you require to help you gain skills to live independently in a stable, longer-term home.

How Supported Housing can help you?

They will offer tailored support to meet your individual needs. They can support you with:

  • Improving budgeting and managing debt
  • Improving your health & wellbeing
  • Gaining skills to maintain a tenancy
  • Developing cooking skills
  • Accessing other services, such as support for substance misuse, mental ill-health or domestic abuse

The City of Wolverhampton Council works with many Supported Housing Providers in the city. We can help you find the right Provider to meet your needs.

If you would like to be referred for supported accommodation, please contact your current support worker if you have one.

If you are homeless or threatened with homelessness (e.g. you have received an eviction letter), then contact Wolverhampton Homes about making a homeless application.

Wolverhampton Homes will offer advice and guidance depending on your situation, including referrals to supported housing if appropriate.

Guidance for existing residents in Supported Housing

If you’re currently living in Supported accommodation and feel that your needs aren’t being met, we are here to assist you.

  • Do you feel that you aren’t receiving the right level of support?

  • Do you feel that you don’t get enough time with your support worker?

  • Or perhaps, you don’t know who your support worker is?

  • Are you looking to move on in life, and live independently, but you don’t know what your options are?

  • Is your accommodation of poor quality?

  • Are repairs not dealt with promptly?

  • Do you feel safe in your accommodation?

The Council has a dedicated team made up of members from across the Council that can help to ensure you get the support you that is right for you and that your accommodation is of good quality.

Please email SupportedHousing-SHIP@Wolverhampton.gov.uk if you are dissatisfied with your accommodation or the support you receive.

Guidance for new Supported Housing providers

The Council has a dedicated multi-disciplinary team that can offer you advice and guidance to help you.

The Revenue & Benefits department, Environmental Health, Homelessness & Migration Team and Adult Social care are working collaboratively on the Supported Housing Improvement Programme (SHIP). We strive to work closely with Supported Housing Providers to ensure that vulnerable residents in the City, receive high quality support and that their accommodation is of good standard.

The SHIP team will meet with providers who are opening or expanding a project to discuss their plans. We have knowledge of local need and provision in the City, so we can offer guidance and advice on the suitability of your project for the City. Officers from Revenues and Benefits will discuss proposed rent models and whether the project qualifies for supported housing status.

If you would like more information or would like to arrange a meeting with our dedicated Panel please email SupportedHousing-SHIP@Wolverhampton.gov.uk

Enquiry Form for New Providers
Guidance for existing Supported Housing providers

The Council has a dedicated multi-disciplinary team that can offer you advice and guidance to help you. 

The Revenue & Benefits department, Environmental Health, Homelessness & Migration Team and Adult Social care teams are working collaboratively to drive improvement in the Supported Housing sector in the City. We strive to work closely with Supported Housing Providers to ensure that vulnerable residents in the city receive high quality support and that their accommodation is of good standard.

Consider taking on a new property?

If you are considering taking on a new property for your Supported Exempt Accommodation portfolio, please contact our team first. We can utilise our cross-council expertise to provide guidance on whether the provision meets local need. We can also offer insight into the suitability of the location and property type, ensuring it is the best fit for its intended purpose.

For further details, please email Supported Housing – SHIP at SupportedHousing-SHIP@wolverhampton.gov.uk.

All new properties will require the completion of a Supported Exempt Accommodation (SEA) application, and a Gateway Panel meeting will need to be convened to review the proposal.

Are you looking for referrals?

If you have any vacancies to fill, please contact the Supported Accommodation Review Team we can help you fill those vacancies with suitable residents. Please email homeless.services@wolverhamptonhomes.org.uk

Property Standards in Supported Accommodation

Do you need advice and guidance on property standards, or improving the quality of support that you offer residents? Our team can help you. Please email SupportedHousing-SHIP@Wolverhampton.gov.uk

We host an established Supported Housing Provider Forum, which meets quarterly at venues across the city. The forum is a valuable network for providers to connect, share ideas, and receive updates on sector developments while working collaboratively to drive improvements.

Each meeting includes a range of knowledgeable speakers who provide insights into key sector-wide issues.

Details and presentation slides from previous forums are available on our webpages—please see the downloads section.

If you are not currently receiving invitations to these meetings, please email SupportedHousing-SHIP@Wolverhampton.gov.uk to be added to the mailing list.

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