Supported Housing

Dartford Gravesham & Swanley Mind provide a supported housing service for 27 people who have experienced mental health problems and now need some support to live independently. Accommodation is provided in 5 sites in the area.

  • Dartford a block of 8 self contained flats near the town centre.
  • Northfleet a block of 6 self contained flats.
  • Gravesend a large house converted into 5 self contained studio flats, and also 2 self contained flats within one house.
  • Swanley 6 self contained flats within one house.

Most of the schemes also contain a communal room where tenants can meet together if they wish. All the flats are for single people.

Living in DGS Mind accommodation

Two of the flats are short hold tenancies – which means that tenants living within them are expected to become independent enough to move on to general housing within two years. The rest of the flats are let on assured tenancies, which means there is no limit on the length of stay, although everyone is encouraged to move to more independent settings when they are able to do so.
All flats are self-contained and are fully furnished and equipped. Rents and council tax payments are normally covered by Housing Benefit but tenants pay their own utility bills to encourage independent living.

Each tenant works with the staff to create their own Support Plan at the beginning of the tenancy. The plan identifies the person’s needs and goals and how staff can help to meet these. Plans are reviewed every six months or earlier at the request of the tenant.
All tenants have opportunities to take part in social activities and in meetings to plan and develop the service. Four elected tenants’ representatives sit on the Housing sub-committee of DGS Mind.

Criteria to apply for accommodation

We do not keep waiting lists for the supported housing services, but when vacancies do occur we notify the Community Mental Health Teams and other agencies who refer suitable candidates to us.

To be considered for a flat a person must

  • Be over 18 and needing single person accommodation
  • Have, or be recovering from, an enduring mental health problem
  • Need the type of housing support we provide
  • Need the type of housing we can provide
  • Be able to use the supported housing service to make positive difference in their life
  • Not be a risk to the health, safety and well being of other tenants

When a person meeting these criteria has been referred to us, and where we have a vacancy, DGS Mind Housing Staff will send an application form, to be completed by the applicant.

Applicants for Housing will be interviewed by 2 staff, who will make the decision on whether or not accommodation should be offered. It is our policy to offer a tenancy to the person who is in most need of the housing and support we can provide.

For further information: Contact us

PDF Factsheet: Download

Dartford Gravesham & Swanley MIND
Registered In England company No.5093370
Limited by Guarantee
Registered Charity No.1103790
Affiliated Local Association.