PFA: Independent Living

Supported Living:
Supported Living provides support so you can live in your own home. Supported Living is for people with a learning disability or mental health problem who want to live as independently as possible but might otherwise be unable to, or struggle, on their own. Below is a range of care options to suit different levels of needs:

You will be encouraged to make your own choices about daily living, to help you do lots of things like:

• Managing your money
• Cooking and shopping
• Staying healthy
• Getting out and about.

Below are a list of some local Supported Living organisations:
Look Ahead - Young People's Supported Accommodation
Click here to learn more about Look Ahead.

Elysium - Learning Disabilities Supported Accommodation
Click here to learn more about Elysium.

MENCAP - Supported Living Services
Click here to learn more about MENCAP.

Social Housing:

Click here to learn more about Social Housing.

Private Sector:
The Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG) has published a guide called 'How to Rent' to help prospective and current tenants understand their rights and responsibilities when renting in the Private Rental Sector.

Click here to read 'How to Rent'.

Click here to learn more about Hounslow's Advice to Private Tenants.

Affordable Home Ownership:
The council’s home ownership service exists to support those who live or work within the borough and want to get on to or move up the property ladder through purchasing or renting a property.

Click here to learn more about Hounslow's Affordable Home Ownership options.

If you’re homeless, or threatened with homelessness, please contact us immediately for support Telephone 0208 583 3842.

• Budgeting
• Access to support workers
• Skills to live independently

If you require any specialist Equipment or Adaptations to be made, the Housing Aids and Adaptations team may be able to help if you need changes made in your home.

Click here to learn more about the Housing Aids and Adaptations team.

As well as the cost of rent, you also need to consider other essential costs, such as whether your rent includes any bills. These can be charges like Electricity & Gas bills, Council Tax and Water rates.

You can work out your budget using tools such as the Prince's Trust Money Management Tool.
Click here to learn more about the Prince's Trust Money Management Tool. 

You may also need to consider planning for some other common things when renting, such as:

• Paying your deposit. Landlords usually take a deposit before you move in, just in case any damage is caused to the property during your tenancy. This is usually equal to one month’s rent but sometimes it’s more. By law, all deposits must be held by a Tenancy Deposit Scheme, and not by your landlord directly.
• Finding a guarantor. Depending on your circumstances, the landlord may ask for a guarantor. This is someone who must pay the rent if you can’t pay it yourself.
• Getting a reference. Most landlords and estate agents will ask for a reference from your previous landlord, employer and or close friend. This is so the landlord can learn more about you from others who know you and judge whether they want to rent their property to you.

Shelter: Council Housing
Click here to learn more about Shelter and how to apply for Council Housing.

CarePlace: Carers Short Breaks
Click here to learn more about CarePlace and Carers Short Breaks.

Digital & IT Skills: Improving Digital & IT Skills
Click here to learn more about opportunities to improve Digital & IT Skills.

E-Safety: Online Safety Skills
Click here to learn more about how to improve Online Safety Skills.

Food Bank: Support for Budgeting and Accessing Food
Click here to learn about Food Bank charities and support.

Youth Offending Service: Youth Offending Information
Click here to learn more about the types and consequences of Youth Offending.