The Universities Superannuation Scheme (USS) and Morgan Sindall Investments Limited (MSIL) have launched a joint venture targeting UK supported living.

The Supported Housing Investment Limited Partnership (SHIP) has 拢100m (鈧116.3m) to invest in the sector.

USS is providing 95% of the capital, with MSIL retaining a 5% stake and acting as asset, property, and portfolio manager, according to a statement from MSIL.

The venture may be doubled to 拢200m, depending on the market鈥檚 movement.

Graham Burnett, head of property at USS Investment Management, said the investor was following a strategy to build a 鈥渟ignificant portfolio of properties producing long-term, stable returns鈥.

鈥淲ith supported living an emerging asset class, we fully expect our investment to grow given the strong fundamentals and significant lack of supply within the sector,鈥 he said.

SHIP will aim to deliver 500 purpose-built apartments to cater for vulnerable people with physical and learning disabilities, enabling them to live as independently as possible.  

Lisa Scenna, managing director of MSIL, said: 鈥淭his investment makes the clear statement that specialist supported housing is here for the long-term as an established asset class within the UK鈥檚 social infrastructure investment arena.鈥

Last week, USS announced a with to invest in a portfolio of loans to asset management companies.