Private housing drive targets adults with a learning disability

Housing for adults with learning disabilities presents a major investment opportunity, according to the three bodies behind a new initiative to increase housing supply.

The Housing and Support Alliance (H&SA), the Cameron Trust and the Centre for Welfare Reform have collaborated to launch ‘Investing in Ordinary Lives: Innovations in housing for people with learning disabilities’, in order to realise the potential of a range of funding resources.

Alicia Wood, H&SA chief executive explains: “We think people with learning disabilities should have more control over where they live and how they are supported. Traditionally local authorities, housing associations and charities have provided most housing for people with learning disabilities. Investing in Ordinary Lives recognises that both the range and type of housing needs to be significantly increased and proposes that privately provided and funded housing is a way of achieving this.”

Duncan Cameron, co-founder of moneysupermarket.com and founder of the Cameron Trust, says: “It’s all quite straightforward. There are people with learning disabilities who need to rent houses and there are investors and organisations who have the money to buy houses and rent to people. We want to find a way to match the right landlords and funders with the right people and organisations to increase housing options for people with learning disabilities.”

According to Mr Cameron, housing for adults with learning difficulties is market rich with on-going potential.

He continues: “People with learning disabilities are usually great, long term tenants and can give investors decent long term returns on their investments. Our focus is on keeping overheads and rents as low as possible and making sure that we help people to get the housing that is right for them.”

The four key areas explored by the initiative include: how wealthy individuals can invest in housing; investing through Corporate Social Responsibility; how small landlords can invest; and how corporate lenders and investors can get involved.