Glasgow launches first housing guide to support people with autism

Believed to the first document of its kind in the UK, Glasgow today launched its practical guide for Registered Social Landlords (RSLs) to support individuals, families and carers dealing with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).

Led by Glasgow City Council and a special sub group set up to look at housing issues associated with ASD sufferers, the 17-page good practice guide has been developed in conjunction with various housing associations and autism organisations and charities.

As part of the research for this project the housing needs and issues of Glasgow families with children with ASD were examined through a questionnaire. More than 280 responses were received providing a rich source of information on housing experiences and a chance to raise issues on housing provision, support and advice.

What the research results particularly highlighted was the low levels of awareness of ASD and its implications for housing needs amongst those who dealt with housing provision, across all tenures.

Responses also raised a number of other issues such as lack of separate bedrooms for children with ASD, lack of access to safe and secure gardens, access to funding for housing adaptations, problems with neighbours who don’t understand or appreciate the family’s circumstances and how needs change as the children develop.

Launched at the Chartered Institute of Housing’s annual conference in Glasgow, the guide will go to all RSLs with housing stock in Glasgow and will be downloadable from the Glasgow City Council website. It will be used as a training note with real life examples and practical solutions to them in meeting the needs of households with members with ASD.

The guide begins by explaining what ASD is and how these developmental, life long conditions can express themselves in different ways and levels of severity from subtle effects in social behaviour to the opposite end of the spectrum when someone’s condition may be so severe and disrupting that it makes it difficult for them to live independent lives.

The document also contains guidelines on legislative requirements and the Disability Discrimination Act, communicating with clients that have autism, how to support these tenants and sustain their tenancy, what can be done to adapt and maintain to meet their housing needs and requirements and further sources of information.

Councillor Graeme Hendry, from the Council’s working group on Autism Spectrum Disorder and housing issues, said: “These new guidelines will provide an invaluable resource to social landlords to provide a fully inclusive service to tenants and their families that live with autism.

“I hope they help ensure that these tenants are assigned suitable and sustainable homes and that local authority and socially rented housing providers around the country will also be able to use them.”

Minister for Housing and Communities Alex Neil said: “This is a great example of how colleagues in different organisations can combine their knowledge and expertise to prepare guidance that is helpful and supportive.

“The guide will raise awareness and provide support to housing providers, which will equip them to respond to the common problems experienced by people with this condition.”

Welcoming the introduction of the guide, Dr Robert Moffat, Regional Officer, from the National Autistic Society said: "The planning and provision of appropriate housing should be the cornerstone of a whole life approach to the needs of individuals, families and carers whose lives are touched by Autism Spectrum Disorder.

“The National Autistic Society in Scotland greatly welcomes the work that Glasgow City Council has put into creating this guide and we believe it will be of enormous benefit to housing professionals across Scotland.”

With this guide being the first of its kind in the UK, it is hoped that it can be replicated and built on by other local authority areas so that those individuals and families dealing with ASD can receive access to the appropriate housing and housing support.