Regions expand supported housing as buying homes proves difficult

Municipalities in Lithuania are expanding supported housing for people with disabilities, but rising property prices and a shortage of smaller apartments are making purchases difficult, LRT reports.

Supported housing is a social service that provides a home in the community and basic assistance from specialists to adults who are partly able to live independently.

Birutė and Ramūnas live in supported housing in Marijampolė. They say the apartment is good and conveniently located near the Šešupė River and a park. They spend their free time there, go for walks and attend a day centre every day.

“We exercise for half an hour, have therapy sessions where we draw and make things, as well as film therapy, light therapy and a sensory room. There are plenty of activities. They show films and then we discuss them,” Marijampolė resident Birutė Kairienė said.

Marijampolė currently has 12 supported homes, most of which are rented. The number is expected to increase, but the municipality is finding it difficult to buy smaller apartments in the region.

“The amount we can spend on buying a home is limited, so purchasing them is quite difficult. We have already bought one, and two are in the process. We hope to buy all six homes by the end of the project and accommodate 12 people in this way,” said Nerijus Mašalaitis, director of the Marijampolė municipal administration.

This year, two supported homes were added in Kalvarija and one in Simnas, a town in Alytus district. The Alytus district municipality says demand for supported housing is growing. It has bought one apartment and is looking for two more, with 120,000 euros allocated for the purchases.

Four people with disabilities will live in the homes. The municipality plans to adapt them to the residents’ needs and buy furniture and equipment. It also wants the homes to have convenient access to services, healthcare facilities, shops and schools.

Supported housing is also a new service in the city of Alytus. The municipality rents two apartments and plans to buy homes, but rising property prices have slowed expansion. Apartments are difficult to find even for rent.

“We plan to buy five homes for this service. The service is currently being provided in rented housing. We have tested it, so now we can confidently plan to purchase the homes,” said Vilma Barthels, deputy head of Alytus’s social support division.

Daiva Jermalienė, head of the public institution Surask save, said the expanded service helps people with disabilities live independently while receiving the assistance they need. Support is provided according to the case management principle, with residents attending activities and social workshops and receiving social rehabilitation services to gradually integrate into the community.

About 200 people currently live in supported housing in Lithuania. By 2030, municipalities plan to acquire around 250 homes, which would accommodate more than 500 people with disabilities.