United Response staff go above and beyond to provide people supported by Step One in the Exeter community with a safe home

Step One supports people with mental health problems and disabilities by offering care in supported living accommodation which residents can rely on for stability, safety, and security. Residents in Step One’s supported living accommodation have often experienced a lot of uncertainty in their lives, especially over the past two years of the pandemic. Recently a key source of independence – their accommodation – was put at risk due to the immediate closure of their previous Housing Trust.

This left five members of Step One’s service users stranded amongst thirteen others. There was uncertainty and panic as they were served notice on their properties by their previous housing association.

Thankfully, United Response, an established charity that supports young people and adults with a variety of mental health problems and disabilities, stepped in as a landlord and secured a tenancy for all eighteen of these people, allowing them to keep their home.

“We were really pleased that United Response was able to mobilise so quickly and take over the role as a landlord to 5 of those we support in the Exeter area. This was a very stressful and unsettling time for those we support in the community with an Autism Spectrum Condition.” – Sarah, Step One’s Community Services Manager.

After being identified as suitable Landlords to deliver intensive housing management, United Response responded quickly and immediately worked with landlords, letting agents and local authorities to set up new agreements, allowing them to continue to provide housing support to the current residents with little disruption. This included hiring two part-time Housing and Welfare Officers to provide a smooth service, both of whom were also made redundant due to the closure of their previous company.