Housing providers report growing pressures across Bournemouth and Dorset

Frontline housing workers in Bournemouth warn there is a  rise of mental-health needs and a shortage of affordable homes.

This is placing a growing pressure on supported accommodation services across Dorset.

At YMCA Bournemouth, housing lead Sarah oversees 73 residents, many with what she describes as “high support and complex needs.”

She explained that the nature of cases has shifted during her 21 years at the organisation.

With more people now presenting mental-health conditions alongside addiction.

“We’re not qualified to deal with mental-health crises, but we end up managing them.”

“We get clients who think we’re poisoning them or that there are cameras in their rooms.”

Hope Housing, which supports vulnerable adults referred from agencies including probation and rehabilitation services, reports similar pressures.

Senior staff member Lisa mentioned that helping residents move on to independent accommodation has become increasingly difficult.

“Sometimes people need a guarantor, and a lot of people haven’t got one,” she explained.

“If you’re scraping the barrel to eat and pay a service charge, you can’t think about anything else.”

Both organisations report that residents are staying longer in supported housing as rising private rents and upfront costs limit their options for moving on.

Local authority data shows more than 1,300 people were recorded as homeless in the Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole area in 2025.

Dorset Council has restructured its homelessness services over the past three years to place a stronger focus on early intervention.

Tony, from the council’s housing team, noted that the proportion of cases where homelessness has been prevented has risen from around 40% to nearly 80%.

He explains that this approach “reduces disruption for households” and allows funding to be redirected into further preventative work.

Tony reported that rough-sleeping numbers in Dorset remain stable but said the council continues to explore additional options to reduce homelessness further.

He encouraged anyone at risk to contact the council’s free Housing Advice line.

Despite ongoing pressures, both organisations say they continue to see progress among residents.

“Sometimes the win is someone who’s been so chaotic they finally do some washing or pay their rent on time,” Sarah reflected.

Lisa added that watching people regain confidence “is a privilege” and remains a motivating part of her work.