Trauma-informed social rent housing

By Changing Futures for the Social Rent Housing Playbook.

Social Rent Housing playbook series

Photo courtesy of Resonance

The shortage of social housing, long waiting lists and numbers of households in Temporary Accommodation, or other unsuitable accommodation, is resulting in higher levels of adversity and trauma amongst future residents. Human-centric design is key to establishing trusted pathways for new social housing delivery. Here, the Changing Futures Bristol partnership unpacks what this means for the design and delivery of new social rent housing.

Read our blog on the need for a human-centric approach or how Morris+Company are embedding quality of life principles into design.

What is trauma?

Trauma is the result of an event, series of events, or set of circumstances that is experienced by an individual as physically or emotionally harmful or life threatening and that has lasting adverse effects of the individual’s functioning and mental, physical, social, emotional, or spiritual wellbeing. - Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services (SAMHSA, 2014a)

The impact of trauma on society is widespread. It is reported that around one in three adults in England have experienced at least one traumatic event and nearly half of the English population have experienced an adverse childhood experience (ACE) that resulted in trauma. Research also shows that trauma leads to poorer physical and mental health and poorer social, educational and criminal justice outcomes.

For those who are already living with a perpetual heightened sense of anxiety and fear, dealing with housing issues such as paying rent, organising repairs, managing relationships with neighbours, housing insecurity and evictions can be particularly difficult and, in some cases, re-traumatising.

However, there is a growing body of evidence that shows that being trauma aware and adopting trauma-informed approaches can improve the life outcomes of those affected. Social housing is no exception to this.

By applying trauma-informed practices which emphasise safety, choice, empowerment, inclusivity, trustworthiness and transparency to the design of social housing, we can acknowledge and work with the traumatic experiences that many residents will have endured.

Traditional social housing environments may inadvertently trigger or exacerbate trauma symptoms. For example, crowded living conditions, lack of choice and exposure to noise or violence can be distressing and disempowering. Trauma-informed design seeks to minimise such triggers and create spaces that support healing, reduce re- traumatisation, and foster a sense of community, ultimately improving the lives of our most vulnerable citizens.

Trauma-informed social housing understands the importance of emotional and psychological safety.
Simple design elements like proper lighting and secure entrances can make residents feel safer. Spaces that promote community engagement, such as common gardens and recreational facilities can help residents build supportive networks and reduce feelings of isolation. Geographical location is also an important consideration.

Making sure that housing is accessible and makes it easier for individuals to access the support services they need can give individuals a sense of autonomy. In some cases, it can also keep them safe from perpetration.

If we are committed to trauma-informed practice in social housing, co-production with people with lived experience should be at the heart of any design.

Done well, co-production coproduction ensures that the input and perspectives of the people who will live in the housing are central to the decision-making process. By involving them in the design stage, it recognises that they are the experts in their own lives and experiences. And by seeking diverse perspectives, we can create housing that is culturally responsive and meets the need of those we are employed to support. When we create environments that support residents’ wellbeing, the need for crisis interventions and emergency services will decrease over time and this benefits everyone in the long term.

At Changing Futures Bristol, we are piloting a My Team Around Me approach. It puts individuals at the heart of their own support plan. With regards to housing, our service coordinators work closely with social services, housing providers, healthcare, and other specialist support to find the best accommodation for our clients and secure the wrap around support they need to maintain their tenancies.

Those cross-agency conversations need to be reflected at commissioning and design level to ensure those who are most vulnerable have their social housing needs met as part of a wider strategy to address multiple disadvantage.

For further reading see the Trauma Informed Design resources prepared by the Housing LIN.

Download the Playbook here, or explore other blogs.

As you engage with the Playbook, we encourage you to reach out to the contributing organisations to inform your learning. No single organisation’s product, process or passion can fix the problem. Change will come through creativity, collective wisdom and the will to roll up our sleeves, get involved and work together to do things differently!