An MP has visited a sheltered housing facility to raise awareness of the importance of such services.

On November 15, Paul Holmes, Member of Parliament for Hamble Valley, toured Abbeyfield Court in Locks Heath as part of Starts at Home Day.

This national event celebrates the value of care and support services, and highlights how having a safe and secure home can enhance people's lives.

The day also provides an opportunity for sheltered housing providers, like Abbeyfield, to raise awareness of their roles and garner political backing.

Abbeyfield Court, managed by the Abbeyfield Living Society (ALS), is part of a charitable movement that offers housing, care, and support to older people worldwide.

During his visit, Mr Holmes met with residents and staff, discussing day-to-day support and the rich lives residents lead.

Sheltered housing manager Lucy Perry shared insights on the court's community engagement, and the challenges faced by similar providers nationwide.

These challenges include inflexible funding models, catering to the complex needs of an ageing population, and dealing with increasing operating costs, inflation, and recruitment hurdles.

Mr Holmes MP said: "It was a privilege to visit Abbeyfield Court to find out more about the work they do and the valuable services that ALS provides for older people.

"I was able to hear first-hand from the residents about their experiences of the immeasurable benefits of sheltered housing as a safe and secure home, giving them the opportunity to engage socially with their fellow residents and others in the local community, and the value of retaining independence and choice in later life.

"The challenges that housing providers face were also made clear, and I look forward to seeing how I can support Abbeyfield Court in the future, so that they can continue to provide an excellent service to their residents in our community."

The National Housing Federation estimates that without supported housing, the UK would have 41,000 more homeless people, a need for an additional 14,000 inpatient psychiatric places, 2,500 more residential care places, and 2,000 more prison places.

Abbeyfield’s sponsorship of an inquiry into the regeneration of outdated sheltered housing has led to a report advocating more investment to ensure these homes remain fit for purpose.