Golden Lane Housing is a leading provider of specialist supported housing for people with a learning disability and autistic people, providing high quality, safe homes to over 3,000 tenants across England, Wales and Northern Ireland. They were established in 1998 by the charity Mencap in response to the widespread lack of suitable housing for people with a learning disability. At that time, housing options were severely constrained — with many people either living with ageing parents or placed in residential institutions that offered limited independence, choice or connection to the wider community.
We are delighted to be working with Resonance and its Supported Homes Fund. Resonance has a long-proven ability in the homelessness sector of sourcing properties that are suitable for tenants and long-term operational partnerships with other housing associations. The work Golden Lane Housing and the fund will be carrying out together, will ensure it contributes to addressing the great need for supported housing for people with learning disabilities and autistic people.
Challenge
The need for specialist supported housing continues to grow. National evidence shows a significant shortfall in supply. Analysis by the Learning Disability and Autism Housing Network (LDAHN) (June 2023) — of which Golden Lane Housing is a founding member — has identified that an additional 1,800 supported housing units are required each year in England to keep pace with demand and replace outdated or unsuitable provision.
Solution
The Resonance Supported Homes Fund is in the process of purchasing 36 properties which will provide bespoke, high quality and long-term housing for 67 people with learning disabilities, autism and mental health needs. 20 of these properties are being leased to United Response and 16 to Golden Lane Housing. They are located across several regions in England, with a concentration of properties in Oxfordshire and Greater Manchester.
Revenue
Properties are leased for either 10 or 20 years (depending on the agreement with the housing partner) at a fixed rate of return although each lease does allow the partner to break the lease in certain specific circumstances. Other lease terms include a 12-week rent free period if required, with the tenant being responsible for all repairs and improvements.
Impact
The partnership between Golden Lane Housing and the Resonance Supported Homes Fund has provided a solution to the desperate housing shortage that leaves thousands of adults with learning disabilities, autism and mental health issues living in inappropriate housing, or on long waiting lists for housing.
By purchasing and refurbishing properties with Golden Lane housing and their tenants, who importantly, also have a voice in the property purchase decision-making, each home is tailored to fit each tenant's often complex needs.
Properties are intentionally purchased at the heart of local communities, close to local amenities, such as shops and GP surgeries, good public transport and support services and networks, including friends and family. This provides tenants with secure, suitable housing with specialist support enabling them to gain independence and exercise choices in their lives.
People with learning disabilities and autism deserve to live in a place of their own that they can call home. The partnership between Resonance’s Supported Homes Fund and its expert supported housing partner, Golden Lane Housing, is providing people with learning disabilities and autism the opportunity to live in a home that is designed to meet their needs. This partnership not only provides desperately needed homes that give tenants long term security and stability but also increases the overall supply of high-quality supported housing across England.