Semi-independent housing

After years of sleeping rough and living in a hostel environment, it can be daunting to move into your own flat.

As well as needing life skills to look after themselves and keep paying the rent, vulnerable people may find themselves held back by house guests - friends they have met on the street who are not at the same stage in their recovery.

St Mungo's provides semi-independent housing to help with the transition, including shared housing (in which five or six residents share a kitchen and a bathroom but have their own bedrooms) and some independent single flats. Most projects specialise in housing people with additional needs, such as mental health or alcohol issues. Residents are expected to cook, clean and shop for themselves, but members of staff are on hand to help with practical matters. They may be based on site (usually Monday to Friday), or make regular visits. Staff also focus on helping residents to develop the life skills that most of us take for granted, and to assess their options for moving into fully independent housing.

The majority of St Mungo's housing projects are semi-independent, and we believe they are vital if people are to successfully move away from our services altogether.