Introducing the first supported housing census survey: help us make the case for change

I’m pleased to announce our first ever supported housing “census” survey, has now launched. For the first time, the National Housing Federation will collect, synthesise and publish information about the supported housing services our members provide and the communities they serve. 
 
This blog will explain what information the survey will collect, why we feel it is important to gather this data now, and how your organisation can respond and help us build an accurate, comprehensive understanding of the supported housing sector and the role housing associations play within it.

Using data to advocate for supported housing 

Right now, too many people who need supported housing to live independently cannot access the homes they need. Like many other public services, the supported housing sector faces an extremely challenging financial landscape, with many of our members facing difficult decisions about closing services.  
 
It’s also a time of significant change for the sector. With upcoming Local Supported Housing Strategies, information sharing will be more important than ever if local authorities and housing providers are to work in meaningful partnership. The results of this survey will be published in Autumn 2026, before local authorities publish their supported housing strategies in Spring 2027.  
 
The insights you shared with us about the risk of closures to your organisation was central to our Save our Supported Housing campaign and our calls for change last year. As we look ahead to the first ever Supported Housing Week in the Autumn, we want to build a rich evidence base to understand the scale and shape of the supported housing sector now, and present an evolving picture of supported housing services in the future. 

How is the census survey different? 

Our new supported housing census will run over the summer, replacing our annual development survey and expanding on the survey of supported housing closures we undertook last summer. We’ll continue to capture your development plans through our well-established supply survey.  
 
The census survey will be a key opportunity to collect detailed information on: 

• The types of supported and older person’s housing you’re providing. 
• Who is commissioning services. 
• Who your homes are serving in our communities. 
• Where supported housing has been lost to the sector. 
• Where supported housing is located across the country. 

The results of the survey will inform our future research and policy development, helping us meaningfully engage with key decision makers and influence government policy.  

Why we need your response 

We know that you provide homes and services to support a diverse range of people to live independently in their communities. As we call for a supported housing system that works better for residents, local communities, and the organisations providing homes and support, understanding more about the people you support and how these services are commissioned means we can present the challenges—and solutions—in a way that accurately reflects your experience. We can also use data to tell stories about people, not just homes.  
 
Although this census is larger in scope than previous surveys, capturing this information all in one place will streamline the requests we ask of you in the future—with this survey taking place every two to three years. We’re also giving you plenty of time to respond over the summer, with the option to answer questions that are directly relevant to your organisation.   
 
We’re contacting our supported and older person’s housing providers to let you know that the census survey has launched. You can download the survey to complete from our website, where you can also find key information on how to complete the census and return your completed census to us.  
 
If you have any questions about how the survey will work or would like to make sure your organisation will receive the survey, please get in touch.