Autism and housing

There are a number of housing support services and information to help you find a home.

Different ways to find a home

There are a number of different ways you can find a home including:

Help from the Housing Executive

If you are autistic and need help with housing, the Northern Ireland Housing Executive can provide support.

This includes applying for social housing, making your home suitable for your needs and finding specialist services.

If you need additional support, Housing Executive staff have been trained to work with you to make sure there are reasonable adjustments in place for you to make the process of applying for social housing easier.

Applying for social housing

You can apply through The Housing Executive or housing associations for social housing

Apply

If you want to apply for housing you can:

apply online
apply by paper form
apply in person at your local Housing Executive office

You can also request a Housing Application form from any Housing Association, but the Housing Executive will manage your application, assess your needs and add you to the waiting list.

Impacts of autism

You need to tell the Housing Executive how your Autism impacts on your daily life including any medical needs or disability.

Provide supporting evidence

You need to include medical letters, occupational therapy reports, and letters from support organisations.

Request adaptations or specific features

You should tell the Housing Executive about any sensory-friendly requirements and provide evidence.

Ask for additional support

You can ask for written communication or extra time for housing applications and homeless assessments. The Housing Executive staff are trained in autism awareness that can help if you are feeling overwhelmed.

Housing allocation - general information

Types of supporting evidence

Medical letters from your GP or consultant.
Occupational Therapy reports explaining your housing needs.
Letters from social workers or support organisations.

Autism-specific support

The Housing Executive works with autism charities who can provide supported living and residential services.

You can request reasonable adjustments such as written communication or extra time.

The Housing Executive staff are trained in autism awareness.

Adaptations and Grants

You can apply for adaptations and Grants for home changes like sensory-friendly spaces and safety features.

If your home needs changes to make life easier, you can apply for:

adaptations (changes to your home)
equipment improvements
alterations (for accessibility)

Apply through:

the Housing Executive
your housing association

Adaptations for Housing Executive properties

If you are a Housing Executive tenant and need a major home adaptation you first need to contact your local Housing Executive office and explain your circumstances.

You may require an occupational therapist who will visit and assess your needs, then they may recommend options such as adapting your home.

If you do not have an occupational therapist, the Housing Executive can make a referral for you. If approved, staff will check if the work is possible, prepare plans, and get permissions. A contractor will then do any building work.

If you require minor adaptations, you can contact your local office who will assess if this can be carried out by the maintenance department without an Occupational Therapist referral.

Adaptations and Grants for people who own or privately rent their home.

If your home needs changes, you can apply for a Disabled Facilities Grant.

This can help to pay for major adaptations like ramps, level-access showers, adapted kitchens, and lighting controls. The type of work carried out is based on an occupational therapist’s recommendation.

The grant is means tested for adults only and can be up to £35,000, in exceptional circumstances it can be up to a maximum of £70,000 for complex cases. This grant is available for homeowners and some private tenants.

Help from autism charities

You can get help for supported living and residential services through partnerships with charities.

AutismInitiatives provide a range of services that

support autistic people in their homes
give 24-7 support
help autistic people to live life as independently as possible
provide help with residential living

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