The supported housing census survey

Complete your survey to help us secure the future of supported housing before 7 September.

We have now launched the first edition of our supported housing census survey. Right now, too many people who need supported housing to live independently cannot access the homes they need.

Everyone working in supported housing can see this clearly every single day, but as a sector we lack the strong evidence base to truly understand the scale and shape of the supported housing provision now, and present an evolving picture of services in the future. Without this data, it's difficult to present a compelling case for system change and advocate for lasting solutions.

This survey aims to provide a solid foundation of evidence, on which we can make a strong case to secure the future of supported housing. We'll run the survey every two to three years, making sure we have a consistent and updated data base.

NHF members can download the survey tool below. To contribute your data to our analysis, please send your completed survey tool to research@housing.org.uk before 7 September 2026.

Access our supported housing census survey

To access our survey, log in below. This is only available to members.

Census survey FAQs: your questions answered

In these frequently asked questions, discover more about the survey, what it aims to do, and how you can take part in your organisation. If you have any questions about how to use the survey tool, please contact our team.

Read the FAQs here

Your step-by-step guide to completing the survey

We’ve put together guidance on the survey questions and sections, so you can follow our step-by-step guide whilst completing your survey.

Download the guide here

Why complete the survey?

Read our Research Officer, Francesca Crisante's blog, which explores what information the survey will collect, why we feel it is important to gather this data now, and how your organisation can respond and help us build an accurate, comprehensive understanding of the supported housing sector and the role housing associations play within it.

Read the blog here

How will this survey feed into our strategic work on supported housing?

The Future of Supported Housing Project

The supported housing census survey is one element of our strategic work on supported housing, that includes the Future of Supported Housing Project. This is an ambitious new project with think tank New Local, examining what is and isn’t working now, and the opportunities to do things differently. The project aims to develop evidence-based recommendations and build a strong case for change.

To make this strong case for a supported housing system that works better for residents, local communities, and the organisations providing homes and support, we need to understand more about the people you support and how these services are commissioned. This will help us present the challenges—and potential solutions—in a way that accurately reflects your experience. We can also use the data to tell stories about people, not just homes.

That's why the supported housing census survey is a key element of our strategic and influencing work.

Local supported housing strategies

We have decided to structure our survey around service type and client group to be consistent with annual reporting information that local authorities will submit to the government under the new local supported housing strategies. Structuring the survey in this way will allow us to interpret your data consistently.

Raising awareness of supported housing

The survey will help our press team pitch stories to the media. In previous years, survey results have helped us raise awareness of the risk of supported housing closures and present new data in a letter to the Prime Minister.

Having reliable and current data will help our team identify trends and risks to supported housing that we can use in our advocacy work.

Who to speak to

Francesca Crisante

research@housing.org.uk