“LSS housing often fails to deliver the rights guaranteed by law,” FUB says.
“Key problems include:
- staff shortages,
- lack of competence among staff,
- insufficient support for meaningful activities,
- health risks,
- misuse of restrictions and technology,
- and insecure decision-making practices.”
FUB, our member from Sweden, published a report about residential services for people with intellectual disabilities. The report is based on survey of family members and legal guardians of adults with intellectual disabilities living in Swedish LSS housing (group housing and service housing). FUB will conduct a survey for people with intellectual disabilities as well.
FUB calls for stronger national regulations, better staffing, and reinforced legal rights.
LSS housing
A housing with special services, often called LSS housing, is a type of housing that is adapted for people with physical or intellectual disabilities. Housing with special services is managed by the social services in Sweden’s municipalities in accordance with the provisions of the Act on Support and Service for Certain Disabled People (LSS).
LSS housing can be designed as:
- Group housing
- Serviced housing
- Other specially adapted housing
The term housing with special services is also used for another type of housing regulated by LSS, namely housing in a family home or housing with special services for children or young people who need to live outside the parental home. (Source: Wikipedia)
Report about LSS housing
Main findings of the FUB report:
Staffing and competence
Often insufficient staffing. Many residents do not receive enough support with daily needs such as hygiene, meals, and cleaning.
High turnover of staff and managers. One example: 54 different staff members in three years.
Reliance on temporary and unqualified staff creates instability and poor quality. Lack of relevant training and education.
Family members often have to step in, taking on unintended support roles. Worries about what will happen when they are no longer there.
Independent living
Over 40% of residents lack support for individual activities, which is a core part of LSS housing. Staff often lack time, interest or knowledge.
Typical group homes host 3-6 residents, but about 12% live in larger units (7 or more). Larger housing units often have less access to meaningful activities and shared community spaces.
Larger, clustered housing units resemble institutions rather than community living.
Municipalities frequently deny the LSS assistance services contact person and companion service, arguing that residents should rely on the housing staff for community participation. In practice, staffing levels are too low for this support.
Health and well-being
Residents often have poor diet, low physical activity, and inadequate health support. There are higher risks of lifestyle-related illness. Families report neglect.
Dental health among LSS residents is significantly worse than in the general population.
Self-determination, Restrictions, and Technology
Use of coercive and restrictive measures, despite the LSS Act not permitting such practices. For example, locking people in their apartments.
Surveillance technology, like cameras, is sometimes used without informed consent from residents. Risk of increased camera usage leading to staffing cuts.
The principle of self-determination is inconsistently understood and applied in practice. Either ignored or misused to justify lack of support.
Decision-making and Legal Security
Many municipalities issue time-limited approvals for housing, causing insecurity for young people trying to move away from home.
Families report bureaucratic obstacles, inconsistent municipal guidelines, and limited legal support when challenging decisions.
FUB’s main proposals
Improve staffing: require sufficient and qualified staff, and ensure managers are present and responsible for fewer units.
Strengthen regulations: replace non-binding recommendations with binding rules on staffing, group size, and housing design.
Promote self-determination: develop national guidance on supporting residents’ decision-making, while preventing misuse of surveillance and coercive measures.
Ensure legal rights: introduce legal aid for individuals seeking to appeal LSS decisions.
Uphold international standards: make the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) legally binding in Sweden.
Read the full report in Swedish
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