Supporting People
Supporting People is a new government funding framework which commenced on 1st April 2003. It focuses on the delivery of supported housing and housing-related support services, enabling people to achieve their potential to live independently.
Supporting People grants replace previously available funding sources, such as Transitional Housing Benefit (THB), Supported Housing Revenue Grant (SHRG) and Probation Accommodation Grant (PAGS). The Supporting People grants are now the only support funding available for supported housing and housing-related support from the Welsh Assembly Government.
The Torfaen Supporting People team currently administers the funding for nearly 65 support schemes. Many are accommodation based, such as sheltered accommodation, group homes for people with learning disabilities or mental health issues. The team also act on behalf of the local authority as the Accredited Support Provider for the Tenancy Support Service (TeSS floating (peripatetic) support) and the authorities Temporary Accommodation Floating Support service (TAFS, run through the homelessness section). The team are also heavily involved in the strategic planning and monitoring of a further 15 schemes in Torfaen. These schemes include women's refuges, mental health group homes and floating support, also floating support specific to young persons leaving care and ex-offenders. All these schemes provide housing related support to people and assist them to live independently.