Changing Lives has taken on delivery of a supported accommodation service inWestminster, providing safe housing and specialist support for single adults experiencing, or at risk of, homelessness.
Commissioned by Westminster City Council, Changing Lives Westminster: Next Steps Supported Accommodation provides 58 bedspaces across six properties in Marylebone and Maida Vale. The service includes three 24/7 staffed supported accommodation sites and three satellite step-down units, helping people move from higher levels of support towards greater independence.
The service supports people with complex and multiple needs, including challenges around mental and physical health, substance use, involvement with the criminal justice system, and experiences of repeated homelessness.
The service provides much more than accommodation. People supported through it will receive tailored, person-centred support to improve their health and wellbeing, build daily living skills, access education, training and employment opportunities, and work towards longer term, stable accommodation.
As the new provider, Changing Lives will work closely with local partners, including Probation, Housing Solutions, Adult Social Care, Street Outreach Teams, statutory mental health services, landlords, health providers, third sector organisations and community groups.
Cllr David Harvey, Westminster City Council Cabinet Member for Housing and Regeneration, said:
“We are pleased to have commissioned Changing Lives to deliver a supported accommodation service that will help people experiencing homelessness, or at risk of homelessness, access safe housing, personalised support and a clear route towards long-term independence.
“Aligned with our Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Strategy 2025–2030, the service focuses on prevention, crisis support, resettlement, and recovery. The service will offer tailored help with issues such as mental health, substance misuse and other complex needs, while connecting people to the right accommodation and support for their wellbeing and recovery. By recognising the complex causes of homelessness, we can help more people rebuild their lives and move towards a more secure future.”
Stephen Bell OBE, Chief Executive of Changing Lives, said:
“We are proud to be working with Westminster City Council to deliver this vital service.
“Westminster is one of the areas most visibly affected by homelessness and rough sleeping, but behind every statistic is a person with their own story, strengths, experiences and hopes for the future.
“This service is about creating the right conditions for people to move forward. That means a safe place to stay, but also the specialist support, trusted relationships and time people need to rebuild their confidence, improve their health and wellbeing, and take positive steps towards independence.
“At Changing Lives, we know that homelessness is rarely caused by one single issue. Many people we support have experienced trauma, poor mental health, addiction, poverty, contact with the criminal justice system or years of being pushed between services. Our role is to work alongside people, not just to manage crisis, but to help create lasting change.”
The Westminster service will focus on early intervention, prevention, recovery and resettlement, with the aim of reducing repeat homelessness, preventing tenancy breakdown, supporting recovery, and helping people move safely into longer term accommodation.