Vulnerable People Continue to Live in Unsafe Supported Housing in England Two Years After Law Passed
The Supported Housing Act (2013), designed to improve the quality and oversight of 'exempt' accommodation for vulnerable groups in England and Wales, has yet to be implemented due to regulatory delays, although implementation is set to begin next month. This legislation targets situations where landlords profit from housing benefit by providing low-quality housing with little or no support. It aims to establish minimum standards, licensing requirements, and create a national expert advisory panel to oversee the sector.
Exempt accommodation mainly houses vulnerable individuals such as those recently released from prison, people with substance abuse issues, survivors of domestic violence, and some with mental health needs. Campaigners have reported severe and widespread issues in these settings, including infestations, overcrowding, intimidation, unlawful entry, and theft. While some rogue providers have left the sector, risks persist until the regulatory powers come into effect.
In the Birmingham area alone, there are about 30,000 exempt accommodation places. The Regulator of Social Housing has deemed five large providers non-compliant. Landlords have been converting family homes into 8- or 9-bed shared houses, raising concerns about overcrowding and safety. One notable case involves the bankrupt Midlands Livings CIC, where administrators reported incidents including the presence of security guards used to intimidate tenants into signing leases, unlawful entry into properties, theft of white goods, and diversion of funds meant for tenant support.
Data from 2024 reveals approximately 36 deaths in exempt accommodation across 10 local authorities, though the available data is patchy and the true total may be higher.
The government's National Plan to End Homelessness includes an additional £124 million in funding for supported housing, and the Supported Housing Act is identified as a priority for immediate implementation starting next month.
