Looking for somewhere to live in Birmingham can be exhausting. Listings that have already gone. Landlords who stop replying when you mention benefits. Places that look fine in photos and are anything but in person.

If you need a room and you could do with some support around you, supported and shared accommodation may be worth considering. This page explains what it is, who it is for, and how to apply.

What supported accommodation is

It is a room in a shared house, with support available to help you live independently. You have your own room. You share a kitchen and usually a bathroom with other residents. Someone is there to help if you need it.

It is not a hostel, and it is not a care home. It is a home where you have your own space and your own front door key, with help available if you want it.

Who it is for?

People come to us for all sorts of reasons. Some are leaving temporary accommodation or sofa-surfing. Some are leaving hospital or prison with nowhere settled to go. Some are young people leaving care. Some have had a tenancy break down and need a stable base to get back on their feet.

You do not need to be in crisis to be eligible. If you need somewhere stable and some support to keep it, that is enough.

What you get

  • Your own furnished room, with a key
  • Shared kitchen and bathroom facilities, kept to a proper standard
  • Bills included, so there are no separate energy or water bills to manage
  • Support from people who know you, at a level that suits you
  • A property that is properly maintained, licensed and safe, with working fire alarms and gas and electrical safety checks
  • A point of contact if something goes wrong or needs repairing

What it costs

In most cases rent is covered by Housing Benefit, which means you would not usually be paying the rent yourself. If you are working, or your circumstances are different, we will talk you through it honestly before anything is agreed.

Where the properties are

Our homes are across Birmingham, in areas with good bus and train links and close to shops, GP surgeries and other services.

How to apply

You can contact us directly, or your support worker, social worker or housing officer can refer you. Either is fine — you do not need a professional to refer you if you would rather get in touch yourself.

Call +44 (0) 203 370 6999 or email [email protected].

We will ask a few questions to understand what you need, check what is available, and be straight with you about whether we can help. If we cannot, we will tell you quickly rather than leaving you waiting.

A few questions worth asking any provider

Whoever you end up going with, these are fair questions and a good provider will not mind answering them:

  • Is the property licensed, and are the gas and electrical safety certificates current?
  • Who do I contact if something breaks, and how quickly will it be fixed?
  • Who else lives in the house?
  • What support is available, and how often will I see someone?
  • What are the rules about visitors, and about coming and going?

You can see more on our tenants page, read about supported living in Birmingham, or get in touch. If you are not sure whether we are the right fit, call us anyway — we would rather point you somewhere useful than leave you searching.

If you are homeless tonight or at immediate risk, contact Birmingham City Council’s housing options service, or Shelter’s free helpline, who can advise on emergency accommodation.