We believe that move-on accommodation is one of the biggest gaps in the supported accommodation pathway.

The majority of residents that come through René House will engage with their support sessions, work on building new life skills, manage their tenancy well, and reach a point where they are truly ready to live independently. But when they try to move on into private rented accommodation, they often hit a wall.

Rents are too high.
They have no rental history.
They do not have a guarantor.
They may still receive some level of benefits, even if they are working.
And for many landlords, a professional reference from a provider like us is still not enough.

And because of this, these people become stuck in supported accommodation, not because they need to be there, but because the next step simply doesn't exist.

This creates a form of bed blocking (just like what we read about in the news with the NHS). Spaces and. rooms cannot be freed up for people currently in crisis, referrals from organisations back up, our waiting lists grow, and residents who are ready to move forward are left in limbo.
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What is move-on accommodation?

Move-on accommodation is the missing middle step between supported accommodation and full independence.

It is private rental housing for people who are ready to live independently, but who might still face barriers to accessing the private rental sector. These individuals may no longer need intensive support via their support workers, but they still need somewhere affordable, stable, and realistic to move into.

Good move-on accommodation could provide:

• affordable rent at a sustainable level
• proper tenancy agreements to help build rental history
• no guarantor requirement
• professional references from supported accommodation providers
• light-touch support if needed
• landlords or organisations who understand the resident’s journey

It's important to note that move-on acommodation is not intended to be permanent. It is simply a stepping stone towards independence – building up that positive rental history, and staying in a supportive and safe network.

Why the current pathway isn't working.

In theory, the supported accommodation pathway should look like this: homelessness → supported accommodation → support and life skills → independent living

But too often, what actually happens is: homelessness → supported accommodation → support and life skills → ready to move on → nowhere suitable to go

That final step is where move-on accommodation should ideally sit. Without it, the system cannot function properly.

People who are ready to move on remain in supported accommodation, while those in urgent need struggle to access it. Resources are stretched, and residents who have done everything asked of them can feel really stuck and demoralised.
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Why does this matter?

The supported accommodation model is designed to help people rebuild stability and move out of homelessness and towards independance. But independence shouldn’t mean pushing someone into a private rental market they cannot access – this will only lead to unstable tenancies and potentially a return to homelessness.

For many people, the issue is not readiness, it is access.

Move-on accommodation provided by, or in connection with, a supported accommodation provider would allow people to progress when they are ready, free up vital supported accommodation spaces, and give residents the chance to build tenancy history and confidence in a more realistic way.
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Why does move-on accommodation not currently exist at scale?

We can see that the need is clear, but the model is understandably difficult to fund.

Move-on accommodation does not fit neatly into existing rental categories. It is not intensive supported housing, but it is also not standard private renting. It requires capital, affordable rent models, and partnerships that are not always in place.

As a result, it’s often overlooked. Move-on accommodation naturally requires rents to be kept affordable, but without dedicated funding streams, it can be challenging for providers and organisations to make it work financially.

What needs to change?

We believe move-on accommodation needs to be recognised as a vital part of the homelessness pathway. This could include:

• dedicated funding streams
• local authority support
• partnerships with landlords
• social letting models
• property partnerships
• guarantee schemes
• greater trust in supported accommodation providers

The answer isn’t just opening up more emergency accommodation. While it obviously plays an important role, it is reactive by nature – responding to crisis rather than preventing it or supporting people to sustain tenancies long-term. What’s needed is a stronger, more strategic pathway that helps people move forward and stay there.

The bottom line.

Move-on accommodation is the missing piece.

Without it, people who are ready for independence get stuck, supported accommodation spaces like ours remain blocked, and those in crisis wait longer for help.

At René House, this is something we see every day. Residents do the work, become ready, and then face barriers that should not exist. And in the meantime, we have to turn down referral after referall because we simply have no space left.

Move-on accommodation would change that. It would mean that readiness for independence can actually lead to independence.

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René House is a Community Interest Company providing supported accommodation and support across Nottinghamshire for adults transitioning out of homelessness.

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