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Having your own space is important. As you grow up, you may find that the amount of independent space you need increases. You may start to consider what having your own home might be like. Moving out of the family home is a big step, but with the right support and right solution for you, it should be an exciting and rewarding transition.

Sometimes, young people find themselves looking for housing in other circumstances – they may have become homeless or require support that their families can no longer provide. This could be a frightening time, but help is out there.

Whatever your situation, there is support you can access to help you into safe, secure and suitable housing.  

Types of housing options available include: 

  • Continue living in your family home
  • Live in your own home 
  • Supported living
  • Social or council housing
  • Residential care

Find out a bit more about each option using the green dropdowns below. 

*REVIEWED NOVEMBER 2022*

Continue to live in the family home

You may not feel ready to leave home just yet, and that's OK. Talk to your family. They may be keen to help you find a place to live, or they mught be happy for you to stay living with them. Once you turn 18, it's important that you have your say and that where you live is your decision

Live in your own home

Having your own place is very freeing! It comes with responsibilites too, like manaing your rent and bills and keeping your house or flat in good repair.

Some people rent from a private landlord, whilst others might put a deposit on a mortgage and begin buying their own home. You might like with housemates, or by yourself.

The charity Scope offers lots of good advice around housing, moving out, renting and buying. 

You may also live in a Supported Living Scheme - see below. 

Supported Living

My Home: What to Expect From Supported Living - YouTube

This film was produced by Inclusion Gloucesrshire, to help explain Supported Living from the point of view of people who use it. 

Supported Living schemes can be run by a private organisation, housing association or a charity. You might live in your own flat, or you might share with other people.

These schemes can help with other life skills like shopping and cooking or money management. You would also be supported to be part of the wider community, encouraged to find meaningful things to do

Social or council housing

Some houses or flats have a lower rent becuase they are owened by the local authority or by other groups like charities. These houses or flats are known as 'social housing'. 

Not everyone is eligible for social housing. Talk to your parents/carers or a trusted adult if you would like to register for social housing. You will need to get in touch with your city, borough or district council's housing department to see if you qualify. There are often waiting lists for suitbale hosuing to become available. 

Residential care

If you require care that can't be provided at home or in supported housing, then you might live in a residential care home. 

Residential care homes usually provide 24-hour personal care to a number of people living in a shared building. Residential care is only usually considered if you have high care needs. A nursing homes is a residential care home that has a registered and qualified nurse available 24 hours a day.

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