Supporting people is the government's long term policy to fund housing related support services for vulnerable people aged 16 or above. It will pay for a range of services that meet the needs of people who want to live independently.

York Supporting People is a partnership between City of York Council, North Yorkshire and York Primary Care Trust and North Yorkshire and York Probation Service.

The actual support is offered by around 125 schemes provided by over 39 organisations. The supporting people team does not provide the support or deal with referrals to any of the schemes. You should contact providers whose details can be found in the supporting people directory (www.spdirectory.org.uk).

What are housing support services?

Housing support services range from hostels to sheltered housing and independent tenancies. They can also include tenancies in shared accommodation and purpose built schemes.

You can receive support at home with someone visiting, or move into a supported housing scheme with on-site support - available 24 hours a day.  The support can last for as long as you need it - anything from a few weeks to the rest of your life - depending on your needs.

How can housing support help me?

Housing support services are designed to help with advice and support in your home.  This could include:

• helping you to set up your own home
• help you to understand official letters and documents - including your tenancy agreement
• providing community alarm and warden call service
• giving you advice about claiming benefits
• helping you to get in contact with other services
• help you to deal with money and paying bills
• helping you to settle into your new community and getting to know people
• helping you learn how to look after your own home
• helping you to sort things out when they don't go as well as you had hoped
• And much more but it is NOT hands on care

Who can receive Supporting People services?

You may qualify for help if you:

• are homeless or have been homeless and still need support
• are at risk of domestic violence
• have a physical or sensory disability
• have mental health problems
• have a learning disability
• are an older person and need support
• have alcohol and/or drug problems
• are a young person in need of support
• are an offender or ex-offender
• are a gypsy or traveller

All services operate within the fair access and diversity guidelines and we promote equal opportunity and access to all.

Will I have to pay for the service?

There may be a charge for some support services. Short term services (those intended to last no longer than two years) are free of charge, but you may need to pay towards long term services (those intended to last more than two years). 

If you receive housing benefit, supporting people will cover the full cost of long term support. If you do not qualify for housing benefit but are on a low income you can request a financial assessment which will help us decide if we can help towards the cost of your support service.

For more information you should contact:

• Your landlord
• Your support provider
• The benefits team

How is Supporting People funding paid?

Supporting people money is not a benefit and is therefore not paid directly to you. If you are eligible, payments are made to your landlord or support provider who deduct any contribution from the amount they charge you. If you are a council tenant payments are  made straight into your rent account.

Where to find other relevant information on:

• housing benefits - contact your support provider or the housing benefit team
• financial assessments - talk to the benefits advice team or the charging unit
• rent accounts - get in touch with your landlord or support provider for council tenants, your estate manager or housing assistant
• support service - contact your landlord or support provider