It is with deep regret that we announce that we are proposing the closure of Route One, our supported accommodation service, based in Brighton and Hove, with a proposed closure date of 31 March 2026. This difficult decision follows a meeting of our Board and Executive Management Team Away Day (EMT) on Wednesday 16 July 2025.
Route One is commissioned to support 39 people with low to medium mental health support needs in the city and receives referrals exclusively from Brighton and Hove City Council (BHCC).
The proposal is being considered due to ongoing financial pressures caused by persistently low occupancy levels at the service, dating back to 2023 and leading to significant loss of rental income. We have worked with the commissioners around increasing the number of appropriate referrals; but we have continued to hold a high amount of empty accommodation and this has resulted in a financial position that is no longer sustainable for BHT Sussex.
We want to be absolutely clear: this proposal is in no way a reflection on the dedication, professionalism, or quality of support provided by our staff, nor on the excellent outcomes achieved by the service.
We have informed BHCC of our proposal to close the service and have discussed the proposal with Unison. We are now entering a period of planning and consultation to ensure that both staff and clients of Route One are supported throughout this difficult process. The wellbeing of staff and clients is our priority, and we are making support resources available to them.
If the service closure is agreed, we will work closely with BHCC to develop a closure plan to rehouse current clients in a supported and timely way.
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