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Housing LIN Case Study (No. 172) Supported living homes for Wandsworth: Turning a dream into reality

Case study 172 cover

This Housing LIN Case Study (No. 172) written by Rachel Wooden, Specialist Housing Occupational Therapist, Housing Enablement and Development Teams at Richmond and Wandsworth Councils, highlights the 10-year journey undertaken by Wandsworth Council to improve housing for young people with physical and learning disabilities.

Lead by a vision to provide supported living homes within the borough, the initiative now stands as a model for inclusive housing, with two completed projects—Stag House in Putney Vale and Colson Way in Tooting—and two more in the pipeline.

The case study details how Wandsworth Council's "Homes for Wandsworth" programme utilised council-owned in-fill sites to create housing solutions, blending inclusive design with modern technology and sustainability. Key design features, such as fully accessible flats with wet rooms, rise-and-fall kitchen worktops, and eco-friendly elements like biodiverse roofs and photovoltaic panels, ensure the homes are future-proofed for the needs of disabled residents. Additionally, the projects prioritised community integration and feedback, allowing the council to continually improve its supported housing offer.

Key Learning Points:

  • The importance of feedback from residents in shaping future developments.
  • Innovative solutions for accessible and sustainable housing.
  • Lessons learned from the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic during project completion.

This case study is a good example of how local authorities can transform dreams into reality, helping young people with disabilities to live independently near their families.

This Case Study was published to coincide with Accessible Homes Week 2024 and our HAPPI Hour webinar on 'Embedding accessibility in all our housing' where Rachel Wooden spoke about their approach to designing and developing supported housing. You can watch the recording and download the presentation slides here!