Supported accommodation for care leavers in Cornwall

Local Housing Allowance, shared accommodation rate

£90.33 a week (Kernow West BRMA, 2026-27, DWP)Check the rate for your exact postcode

Tools

LHA Rate Checker · Supported Housing Benefit Calculator · Universal Credit Calculator

Average private rent for context

£1,000 a month (ONS, August 2026, average)

Time on the market

Rooms currently listed in Cornwall have been available for a median of 83 days.

Statutory basis

Children (Leaving Care) Act 2000

Who refers

Leaving care team / personal adviser

How the referral works

The leaving care team or personal adviser makes the referral, with a pathway plan setting out the support hours needed. Funding is normally a mix of housing benefit for the rent and social care funding for the support.

Eligibility

A young person is eligible if they are an eligible, relevant or former relevant child under the Children (Leaving Care) Act 2000. Provision for 16 and 17 year olds must be registered with Ofsted. Roomfy does not list 16 and 17 provision without a verified Ofsted registration number.

Team

Cornwall Council

Phone

0300 1234 161

Housing options

https://www.cornwall.gov.uk/housing/homeless-or-at-risk/

Duty to Refer

https://www.cornwall.gov.uk/housing/homeless-or-at-risk/

• DSS rooms in Cornwall, 3 available
• Universal Credit rooms in Cornwall, 3 available
• Hostels and move-on in Cornwall, 3 available
• Rooms in PL26, 3 available

Can I rent a room in Cornwall on Universal Credit?

Yes. Supported and benefits only rooms in Cornwall are let to tenants whose housing costs are met by Universal Credit. The listing states which benefits you need before you enquire, so you never chase a room you cannot take.

What is the difference between supported and transitional housing in Cornwall?

Supported accommodation requires Universal Credit. Transitional accommodation requires Universal Credit plus at least one of LCWRA, PIP, Carers Allowance or ESA. Both cover rent through benefits, so the room listing shows a service charge rather than a rent figure.

What is supported or exempt accommodation?

Housing such as a hostel or supported house where the landlord, or someone on their behalf, gives you care, support or supervision. Your rent there is covered by Housing Benefit from the council rather than the Universal Credit housing amount.

Does Universal Credit pay rent in supported housing?

Usually not. If you live in supported or sheltered housing, such as a hostel, that gives you care, support or supervision, you claim Housing Benefit from the council for your rent instead. You can still claim Universal Credit for your living costs. Service charges for things like meals, heating, energy in your room or support are usually yours to pay.

Will I have to pay anything myself?

Often a weekly service charge for things Housing Benefit doesn't cover, such as heating, energy in your room, meals or some support. Enter it in the calculator to see it next to your income.

How quickly can I move into a room in Cornwall?

Every listing shows its available from date. Once you enquire, the provider has one working day to respond, so most tenants hear back the next working day and arrange a viewing from there.

What if there is nothing suitable in Cornwall today?

Tell us what you need and we match you as new rooms go live in Cornwall. You get an alert the same day a room that fits your benefits and budget is listed.

Referrers can send a request through Find me a room and we will match it against live rooms. Providers with empty rooms can list them free.