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Housing options
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As the topic varies greatly across Europe, you will find the information divided by country. You will find the information for your own country translated into your national language. By clicking on the country flag and selecting other country flags, you can also access the information for other European countries in English.
How to finance alternative housing?
Young adults with care needs and disabilities often face additional challenges when looking for accommodation. They might have limited incomes and require homes that are both accessible and affordable. Additionally, some may not have families capable of providing adequate care, leading to the need for foster or residential care. Others may live more independently, in an autonomous residence for instance, and only require minimal assistance. In particularly vulnerable situations, care recipients may benefit from special financial assistance to repair, purchase, or rent a new home.
YoungCare has compiled a list of services that can help you and adults with care needs and disabilities, based on their specific disabilities or impairments. The list provides information on how to access these services.
The following overview describes various services, namely institutions and associations, through which you may explore the available services to finance home adaptations in Portugal.
Services: How to find different housing options and how to fund them?
The sections below describes some social support and housing options tailored to the level of disability of care recipients, along with information on how to fund these options in Portugal.
Acolhimento familiar [Foster care]
A social initiative to temporarily or permanently integrate adults with disabilities into families capable of providing a stable and secure environment. One of the goals is to ensure that individuals live in a family-like and supportive where their basic needs are while respecting their identity, personality, and privacy. Additionally, this measure seeks to prevent or delay institutionalisation.
Click here to learn more about the service and its eligibility requirements.
To apply for this service, learn more about it, or have your questions answered, click on:
- Segurança Social (to book a face-to-face appointment)
- Balcão da Inclusão (for appointments related to disability and incapacity).
- Carta social (to find the nearest institutions offering the service. You can find their contact information and addresses, and reach out to them by phone or visit in person).
Lar residencial [Residential home]
Residential homes are collective living facilities, intended for the temporary or permanent accommodatin of individuals aged 16 years and older with disabilities and impairments who are unable to live in their family environment. Residents pay a monthly fee for the service provided, which is calculated based on the family’s income.
Click here to learn more about the service and its eligibility requirements.
To apply for this service, learn more about it, or have your questions answered, click on:
- Segurança Social (to book a face-to-face appointment)
- Balcão da Inclusão (for appointments related to disability and incapacity).
- Carta social (to find the nearest institutions offering the service. You can find their contact information and addresses, and reach out to them by phone or visit in person).
Residência autónoma [Autonomous residence]
Temporary or permanent accommodation in apartments, houses, or similar, for individuals aged 18 years and older with disabilities and impairments who can live independently but with support.
Click here to learn more about the service and its eligibility requirements.
To apply for this service, learn more about it, or have your questions answered, click on:
- Segurança Social (to book a face-to-face appointment)
- Balcão da Inclusão (for appointments related to disability and incapacity).
- Carta social (to find the nearest institutions offering the service. You can find their contact information and addresses, and reach out to them by phone or visit in person).
Apoio ao arrendamento habitacional [Support for rental housing]
This programme aims to support housing solutions for people living in inadequate conditions and who lack the financial means to afford suitable housing. Inadequate conditions encompass precariousness, overcrowding, poor sanitation, lack of safety, and the failure to meet residents’ specific needs, such as accessibility barriers affecting some people with disabilities.
Housing solutions include rental support, facilitation of rehabilitation, construction, or property acquisition.
Click on the following link to learn more about this type of support and the eligibility requirements:
Plataforma eletrónica do Arrendamento Apoiado
Tipologias de Residência de Cuidados Continuados na Saúde Mental da RNCCI (Rede Nacional de Cuidados Continuados Integrados) [Types of Continuing Care Residences in Mental Health within the RNCCI (National Network of Integrated Continuing Care)]
RAMa – Residência de Apoio Máximo Adultos [RAMa – Maximum Support Residence for Adults]
A community-based residential facility for clinically stabilized individuals with significant psychosocial disabilities who cannot be cared for at home due to insufficient family or social support. Its purpose is to provide care that helps prevent and delay the progression of dependency.
RAMo – Residência de Apoio Moderado [RAMo – Moderate Support Residence]
A Community-based residential facility for clinically stabilised individuals with a moderate degree of psychosocial disabilities who cannot be cared for at home due to insufficient family or social support. Its goal is to maintain and strengthen existing ability, improve quality of life, and promote social and occupational integration.
RTA – Residência de Treino de Autonomia [RTA – Autonomy Training Residence]
A Community-based residential unit designed to develop psychosocial rehabilitation programmes for clinically stabilized individuals with moderate to low psychosocial disabilities who retain some abilities. Its aim is to facilitate social and family reintegration, prepare individuals to return home or, in the absence of adequate family or social support, to be admitted to other units and teams.
Porta de Entrada - Programa de Apoio ao Alojamento Urgente [Gateway – Urgent Accommodation Support Programme]
This programme aims to provide housing solutions for families temporarily or permanently displaced because of natural disasters, collective migrations, family breakdowns, or other circumstances requiring urgent accommodation. The programme offers support to households for residential reconstruction and facilitates integration and necessary sustainability during temporary housing. Families that include individuals with a disability level of 60% or higher receive additional assistance. When funds are insufficient to cover all cases, these households are given priority in the evaluation and selection process for support applications.
Click on this link to learn more about this type of support and the eligibility requirements.
Porta 65 - Arrendamento Jovem [Renting to Young People]
The aim of this programme is to provide financial support to young people aged 18 to 35 for renting a home as their permanent residence. This support is granted in the form of a monthly subsidy that covers to a percentage of the monthly rent. The subsidy decreases every 12 months and can be renewed for up to 60 months.
Young people with a disability level of 60% or higher are eligible for a 15% increase in the monthly subsidy. The same percentage also applies to households with a dependent who has a disability at or above the same level. Applications must be submitted digitally via the Housing Portal using the only form. Household with a disabled member must attach legal proof of the degree of disability.
Click on this link to learn more about this type of support and the eligibility requirements.
Resources
The All for All – Portuguese Tourism Programme includes a diverse and comprehensive set of initiatives promoted by Turismo de Portugal, aimed at stimulating, informing, training and supporting all the agents and entities that make up the tourism chain.
Guide to the social benefits available to people with disabilities, and list of the eligibility requirements and documents needed to enjoy this service.
Information on disability explaining what social security support people may be entitled to.
Connected topics
Why is it important to prepare and finance housing solutions for people with disabilities?
The life of people with disabilities must be supported in order to foster their autonomy, self-determination, ability to relate, creativity and active participation in their communities. Being able to live in the most suitable place in relation to one’s needs and one’s wishes is the main objective to pursue. Overcoming institutionalisation and promoting independent living wherever possible, begins with ensuring that persons with disabilities have to opportunity to live in a home of their own. Having a safe living space is a fundamental human right that must be supported and encouraged.
Public residential housing or council housing is defined as housing built and funded by the State for people in economically or socially disadvantaged circumstances, i.e., people who cannot afford to buy a home at market prices. Rent is calculated on the basis of the tenant’s income.
The management of public housing allocations varies across the country: regions and municipalities are free to establish their eligibility criteria in their respective calls for application.
Below, you will find an overview of existing and financing options and a step-by-step guide on how to finance and search disability-friendly housing.
What services are there in Italy to access accommodations for people with disabilities?
In the following overview, you will find several institutions and services through which you can apply for housing for people with disabilities in Italy.
Public social housing
Each municipality has public housing available and defines the access criteria.
Click this this link you can get more information to see who is eligible to apply and who to contact.
Law 112/16 "Dopo di noi” (After Us)
Law no. 112 of 22 June 2016 titled “Provisions on assistance for severely disabled persons without family support”, commonly known as “Dopo di noi” (After Us) introduced for the first time in the Italian legal system specific protections for individuals with severe disabilities if they lose family support.
This law aims to ensure maximum autonomy and independence for people with disabilities, enabling them, for example, to continue living in settings as similar as possible to the family homes or by initiating deinstitutionalization processes when their parents can no longer care for them.
Click on the following links for more information on eligibility and who to contact: Link 1 | Link 2
Sheltered housing for people with disabilities
Sheltered housing provides comprehensive care services for people with physical and intellectual disabilities who, while having a high level of autonomy, require support and supervision to lead independent and autonomous lives.
Click this link for more information on eligibility and who to contact
How to finance housing for people with disabilities?
In Italy, there are several opportunities to finance housing for people with disabilities
Contact the relevant disability social service office in your neighbourhood to submit your household’s needs and make an appointment.
Contact the welfare office and your general practitioner to apply for civil disability in order to access housing services for people with disabilities.
Good practices
Article on the allocation of public housing for civil people with disabilities. Link here
Resources
On your region’s website you can find out about all the assistance you can receive.
Article ‘Housing for people with disabilities’
The article explores the role of housing policies for people with disabilities.
Connected topics
Where to start if I’m looking for a new home?
Are you looking for a different place to live? A new home might provide more independence or be better suited to meet your care need or those of a loved one. However, moving can be costly, especially when care needs or responsibilities already take up so much of your budget. In the Netherlands several measures are available to help you finance a move to a new home.
For other types of financial assistance, check out the topics home adaptations and income support.
Below, you will find information and helpful links on how to find suitable housing options and how to finance a move.
How to finance different housing options in the Netherlands?
In the Netherlands you can receive help in finding a suitable accommodation and financial assistance for relocation and/or rent costs. If relocation is urgent, you can request a priority indication. Most of these services are organised by the municipality you reside in. For more information, check out the services below.
Services
Finding suitable housing
First and foremost, you will need to find a place that meets your needs or those of a loved one. You can receive help in finding a suitable home by requesting a Wmo Verhuisindicatie (a relocation indication under the Social Support Act). This is an assessment performed by the municipality on individuals who, because of their health or other types of limitations, can no longer remain in their current homes. The purpose is to support you in finding a suitable home that matches your specific care needs. The indication gives you priority on adapted housing (see also urgency indication, point 4). Consult the Wmo point of your municipality to apply for a relocation indication. Consult their website or google WMO plus the name of your municipality.
Of course, you can also look for housing yourself, for instance on the website of Meewoonwinkel. Alternatively, many housing platforms, such as Funda, offer filters to find adapted living options.
Find out more about how to find adapted housing in the Netherlands:
Huurtoeslag (housing benefit)
Individuals on a low income and a rent lower than the threshold (which is adjusted on a yearly basis) may receive housing benefits to help pay their rent. If you are living in adapted housing, you can receive more help, and there is no rent threshold.
Click on the links below to find out if you meet requirements and how to apply:
Verhuiskostenvergoeding (relocation allowance)
If you need to move due to care needs, you can receive a relocation allowance, covering (part of) the moving costs. In 2025 the minimal allowance is €7.673.
You can request a relocation allowance at the Wmo point of your municipality. You can receive this service whether you carry on living in the same municipality or move to a different one.
Find out more about the relocation allowance:
Relocation allowance
Urgentieverklaring (urgency indication)
If you need a new living space urgently for medical reasons, you may be eligible for an urgency indication that gives you priority on social housing, thus avoiding long waiting lists. There are different types of indications with different priorities: medical urgency, Wmo relocation indication (see above), and 65+. With a medical urgency, you have the highest priority to receive suitable housing. You can apply via your municipality.
Find out more about the medical urgency indication here:
Conditions for a medical urgency indication
Bijzondere bijstand (special social assistance benefit)
The special social assistance benefit is an extra payment you can receive for costs that are necessary, unforeseen, and pressing, and you are unable to pay for them yourself. For example, you can apply for special social assistance if you need to redesign and/or refurnish your new adapted home. Your municipality sets the eligibility rules, the amount, and whether or not it is a non-repayable grant or a loan.
Find more information on the social assistance benefit here: Link 1 | Link 2
Good practices
Connected topics
Which housing options exists and how can I finance them?
When care needs arise, requirements for the living environment change. These new requirements cannot always be met with ambulatory care. Sometimes, alternative living options should be considered. Assisted living communities or care homes are usually suitable.
However, these new housing options come with financial challenges. You should therefore find out who will cover the financial costs and when, and what financial support is available.
While shared flats are often available for younger people, the problem with care homes is that the infrastructure is primarily geared towards geriatric care. It is advisable to search the internet for suitable offers
Below you will find information on how to finance living communities and care homes.
How can I finance living communities and care homes as alternative housing options?
The overview contains information on how to finance living communities and care homes, and clearly states on aspects such as who is responsible for financing.
Living communities
In assisted living communities, 3 to 12 people live together and at least 3 of them are in need of care. Every resident has their own room and there are also community rooms.
Unlike a care home, rental and care services are separate. This means that there is a rental agreement and a care contract that operate independently of one other. Care in an assisted living community can be provided by relatives or an ambulatory care service. Depending on the assisted living community, each person in need of care can decide for themselves which form they would like to choose. Care costs are then settled with the care insurance via Pflegegeld (Long-Term Care Allowance) or Pflegesachleistung (Care Benefits in Kind), depending on the case. Rental costs have to cover by the residents. However, they can apply for Wohngruppenzuschlag, an accommodation allowance of 214 euros per month granted by the care insurance fund.
Click here for further information on how the accommodation in Wohngemeinschaften (living communities) is financed.
Care homes
Care homes must always be financed by those in need of care. However, care insurance funds do cover a portion of these costs through the so called Pflegesatz (nursing charge). The nursing charge varies depending on the Pflegegrad (care level). It is therefore important to determine the care level and then regularly check whether it has changed. If the person in need of care does not have sufficient financial resources to cover the financial costs of the care home, the financial situation of its relatives is taken into account. If the children or parents of the person in need of care do not earn more than 100,000 per year, they do not have to make a financial contribution. In that case the Sozialhilfeträger (welfare authorities) would pay. However, this rule does not apply to the partner.
Since January 2022, Long-Term care insurance pays a percentage of the personal contribution as a Leistungszuschlag (benefit supplement). This supplement applies to people in care level 2–5 who receive full inpatient care in accordance with Section 43 SGB XI. This benefit supplement used to account for 5% to 70% depending on the length of stay.
If you would like to know how the costs of a care home are made up or how exactly the benefit allowance is structured, you can visit this website.
For further information about the benefit supplement, click on this link
Wohn-Assistenz (Home assistance)
The module on ambulatory care presents two options: persönliche Assistenz (personal assistance) and persönliches Budget (personal budget). One possibility is to use personal assistance, which in turn is financed via the personal budget, as living assistance.
Similar to ambulatory care, home assistance provides support for everyday activities, with the difference that the person in need of care decides for themselves when and where help should be provided.
For further information about home assistance, click here.
You can also search for assistants yourself or post a job advert. A good address for this is the Assistenz-Börse website.
How can I receive financial support?
In order to receive financing for the two housing options above, people in need of care have to apply at the care insurance for Pflegegeld (Care Allowance), Pflegesachleistung (Care Benefits in Kind) and Kombinationsleistung (combination benefits). They can also apply for housing group supplement (Wohngruppenzuschlag).
Go to Home care or Ambulatory Care for a step-by-step guide on how to apply for Care Allowance, Care Benefits in Kind, or combination benefits.
For the housing group supplement, the person in need of care or the authorised contact person needs to fill out a form at the relevant Pflegeversicherung (Long-Term care insurance). It is best to do it before moving to a living community. Most Long-Term care insurance companies have the form on their website. Otherwise, just send an informal e-mail and the form will be sent to you digitally. Link.
In Germany, there are various organisations that pay the costs of assistance. If you’d like to use your personal budget to hire and pay for personal assistance yourself, you can submit an application to all rehabilitation providers, such as the integration assistance provider, the pension and accident insurance provider, but also other providers such as the health and care insurance funds or the integration office. Do not worry about choosing the wrong one because in that case the application will be sent to the relevant provider.
If you would like to receive assistance via an ambulatory care service that is going to hire and pay a professional carer for you, you can also use Pflegesachleistungen (Care Benefits in Kind) as described in the step-by-step-guide in the module on “ambulatory care” or “home care”.
Click on this link for more information on personal budgets.
Good practices
As the work on this project has also shown, residential care in particular is one of the greatest challenges for younger people in need of care. Many facilities are geared towards geriatric care and are not very attractive to younger people due to the environment. Below, you can find some links that provide information on the topic. You might also find offers in your region under the keywords “young care” or “care home for younger people”.
Housing project for people with MS.
The doMS association was founded with the aim of developing a communal housing project for people with multiple sclerosis (MS) in cooperation with a housing company. The building was occupied in 2009. Since then, people of different age groups and living and family situations have lived in 64 flats. Among them, there are 15 MS sufferers and other people with chronic illnesses or disabilities.
Wohnsinn is an association founded in 2018 to disseminate knowledge about inclusive housing options in Germany. By clicking on the link on the right, you will find an overview of inclusive housing options in Germany and have the possibility to contact them directly
Resources
Guide from the German Ministry of Health illustrating further housing options (such as multi-generational homes).
The GKV study focussed on “new” forms of living for people in need of care. Some examples are given.
Connected topics
What are housing options are there for people with care needs and disabilities in Lithuania?
Providing appropriate housing options for people with care needs and disabilities is vital. Ensuring accessible housing is in line with human rights principles, guaranteeing that individuals with disabilities have the same opportunities for safe and comfortable living as everyone else. Access to housing brings numerous benefits for people with disabilities and their family caregivers, as it improves independence, reduces strain on caregivers, and enhances quality of life by providing a safer, more accessible living environment. Young people in need of care have several housing options available to them, depending on their specific needs, age, and the resources available in their community.
Read this topic to find out housing options for people with care needs in Lithuania
You may also learn more about the different types of housing alternatives that are accessible to people with disabilities in Lithuania. Additionally, there are links to other websites with more information about the services that you can access.
What housing opportunities are there for people with care needs and disabilities in Lithuania and how can you apply for it?
In this section you will find information about different housing options available for people with care needs and disabilities.
Apsaugotas būstas (Sheltered housing)
Savarankiško gyvenimo namai (Independent living housing)
Independent living housing offers social care services for ten partially independent individuals with mental and/or intellectual disabilities. Independent living homes support people with disabilities in managing their personal and social lives independently by supporting, fostering, and maintaining their social and independent living skills using their abilities, and/or by providing minimal assistance to compensate for the loss or lack of independent living skills.
Information about independent living housing: Link 1 | Link 2 | Link 3 | Link 4
Grupinio gyvenimo namai (Group living home)
This type of housing is available for those with intellectual or mental disabilities. A group living home is a social care service provided in the community. Group homes are designed to resemble homes and can accommodate up to ten persons with mental, intellectual or multiple disabilities who are not independent.
In addition to receiving the required assistance in the home, residents have also access to community-based services that support the development and restoration of social and independent living skills.
Information about Group living home in Zarasa: Link 1 | Link 2
Trumpalaikė socialinė globa (Short-term social care for a person with a disability)
Short-term social care is a set of services to offer complex assistance to individuals who require permanent specialist care, usually provided in institutions such as care homes. The duration of the service can vary and is usually offered when informal caregivers are unable provide care due to sickness, work-related trips, holidays, family or work commitments, etc.
Click on this link to find out more about short-term social care.
Ilgalaikė socialinė globa (Long-term social care)
Long-term social care service offers complex assistance to persons who are not fully independent and require permanent specialist care.
Click on this link to find out more about long-term social care.
How to apply for housing?
You will learn how to apply for housing that best suits your needs.
If you have a psychosocial disability and would like to live in a sheltered home, you should consider your financial situation. The service user must have the financial means to cover the costs of food, personal hygiene, medical care (medicines), cultural expenses, and other fees related to their unique needs. In sheltered housing, rent, internet, TV, and maintenance costs are all paid for by the “From Care to Opportunity: Developing Community-Based Services” project. Link
For sheltered housing services you need to contact the social assistance department in your municipality. Link
For sheltered housing services you need to contact the social assistance department in your municipality.
For sheltered housing services you need to contact the social assistance department in your municipality.
People with short-term social care needs who cannot be adequately supported by home-based services are referred to social care institutions. The social care institutions providing short-term social care are chosen by the applicant (guardian, carer, other legal representatives).
Applications for social care services must be submitted to the Social Services Department of the place of residence by the individual in need, a guardian or caregiver.
People who are in need of long-term social care or need permanent care, and cannot be adequately supported by home-based services, are referred to social care institutions. The social care institutions providing long-term social care are chosen by the applicant (guardian, carer, other legal representatives).
For long-term social care, please contact the social assistance department in your municipality.
Good practices
Introducing “Savi namai” (Own Home): an initiative designed to create a home-like environment and provide the necessary services for adults with mental disabilities who do not need constant, intensive care, thus enabling them to manage their personal/family life independently
Resources
Housing of this kind is available for those with intellectual or mental disabilities. A group living home is a social care service provided within the community. Group homes are designed to resemble homes and can accommodate up to ten people with mental, intellectual or multiple disabilities who are not independent. In addition to receiving the required assistance in the home, residents of group homes can also access additional community-based services that support the development and restoration of social and independent living skills.
Short-term care provided by “Korys”
Here young people in need of care and their caregivers will find information about short-term care, what kind of team provides this service, and the target group who can apply for it.
Short-term social care for a person with a disability
Short-term social care is a set of services to offer complex assistance to individuals who require permanent specialist care, usually provided in institutions such as care homes. The duration of the service can vary and is usually offered when informal caregivers are unable to provide care due to sickness, work-related trips, holidays, family or work commitments, etc.
Long-term social care service offers complex assistance to people who are not fully independent and require permanent specialist care
Connected topics
What is meant by barrier-free housing?
Barrier-free housing refers to the design of living spaces and environments that are accessible and usable for people with different types of disabilities. This means that there are no obstacles that could make it difficult for people with mobility, sensory or cognitive impairments to move around and use their home safely and independently. For example, wider doors, level entrances, non-slip floors and adapted bathrooms can help to reduce barriers.
What are the benefits of barrier-free housing for people in need of care?
Barier-free homes can be designed to meet the needs of wheelchair users, the visually and hearing impaired and people with other mobility or cognitive impairments. In this context, they bring a number of benefits:
- Barrier-free husing enables people with different disabilities to move freely and safely around their homes without encountering obstacles.
- It promotes independence and autonomy as residents are less dependent on help to carry out their daily activities.
- It makes everyday living easier by providing access to all areas of the home, including bedrooms, kitchens and bathrooms.
Which basic modifications or adaptations can be made to make housing more accessible for people with disabilities and care needs?
Overall, several changes can be made to ensure barrier-free housing. In the floor plan below, you can click on the various interactive points to find out which adaptations are possible in the kitchen, bathroom and bedroom and how they can be implemented.
How can informal carers help to create an environment that supports the independence and quality of life of people in need of care?
You, as an Informal carer must create accessible and barrier-free housing for your care recipients. The accessible solutions presented can significantly improve the lives of people in need of care. They allow to move freely and safely while carrying out everyday activities independently. You should take special care to ensure that your caretaker’s home is easily accessible, with wide doorways, non-slip floors and other adaptations that take all needs into account. By implementing accessible housing options, you can improve the quality of life of care recipients and provide them with an environment where they feel comfortable.
Good Pratices
Regelhulp (arrangement help) (NL)
Regelhulp is a government website that provides a guide for navigating help and support measures. They offer information and helpful links on housing, and more.
Barrierefrei Leben e.V. (DE)
Barrierefrei Leben e.V. shows a range of possible home adaptations in favour of barrier-free living. Click on the link and get to know about more accessible adaptations.
List of Materials
Guide presenting adapted kitchen tools & utensils
The guide of the National Center on Health, Physical Activity and Disability (NCHPAD) gives an brought overview about available tools in the kitchen.