Housing Needs Assessment 2006 - Westminster City Council

SECTION E: THE NEEDS OF PARTICULAR GROUPS13. Households with support needs13.1 IntroductionThere are groups that may, because of their condition or vulnerability, have requirements forspecialised forms of housing provision, or else require support services in order to continue livingan independent life in their existing home. The survey asked respondents to identify whetherthemselves or any other household members had an attribute that may require additional support.This chapter documents the situation of these households and any implications this has for theCouncil.13.2 Data coverageThe survey collected information on the presence within the household of any people within thefollowing broad categories:• Frail elderly• Persons with a physical disability• A learning disability• A mental health problem• Severe sensory disability• OthersEach person with a support need could respond to as many of the above categories as is applicable.This means that we can differentiate between households that have more than one person with asupport need and those that have people with multiple support needs.13.3 Households with support needs: overviewOverall there are an estimated 12,971 households in the City of Westminster with one or moremembers in an identified support needs group. This represents 11.5% of all households, which isjust below the average Fordham Research has found nationally (13-14%).Westminster City Council commissions a wide range of specialist housing related support servicesthat meet the diverse needs that are presented in Westminster. In particular this includes over 700units of hostel provision for rough sleepers, over 200 bedspaces services for young homeless peopleand over 500 specialist units for people with mental health problems.PAGE 119