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Select Committee · Housing, Communities and Local Government Committee

Exempt Accommodation

Status: Closed Opened: 7 Dec 2021 Closed: 5 Mar 2024 16 recommendations 8 conclusions 1 report

This inquiry aims to establish a clearer picture of the amount and quality of provision of exempt accommodation. This includes understanding the strengths and weaknesses of current provision and looking for recommendations on the changes that might be needed to improve exempt accommodation.

Clear

Reports

1 report
Title HC No. Published Items Response
Third Report - Exempt Accommodation HC 21 27 Oct 2022 24 Responded

Recommendations & Conclusions

5 items
4 Recommendation Third Report - Exempt Accommodation Accepted

Due to the scarcity of data on exempt accommodation, our inquiry was unable to establish...

Due to the scarcity of data on exempt accommodation, our inquiry was unable to establish how widespread the very worst experiences are either among residents or among local communities. Where the very worst experiences are occurring, this points to a complete breakdown of the system which calls for immediate action … Read more

Government response AI summary
The government has accepted the recommendation, commissioning research to assess the supported housing sector and data collection methods, making changes to DWP's Housing Benefit data provision, and securing funding for local authority reviews, with findings and improvements expected by the end of 2023 and from …
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Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
5 Conclusion Third Report - Exempt Accommodation Accepted

It was clear from our evidence that the quality of provision of exempt accommodation varies...

It was clear from our evidence that the quality of provision of exempt accommodation varies greatly and that the poor quality provision puts already vulnerable residents at serious risk. The Government fears “unintended consequences” from further regulation and points to councils that have turned things around within the funding envelope … Read more

Government response AI summary
The government will bring forward national standards for support and give local authorities the power to set up licensing schemes where there is poor quality supported housing; they will formally consult with the sector to develop these standards and licensing scheme as soon as possible …
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Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
8 Recommendation Third Report - Exempt Accommodation Accepted

The Government should provide new burdens funding to local authorities to ensure that they can...

The Government should provide new burdens funding to local authorities to ensure that they can carry out these duties to the best of their ability, recognising that improving the overall standard of exempt accommodation and making it more consistent is likely to save resources in the long-term. The Government should … Read more

Government response AI summary
The Department will work with local authorities to estimate costs and will carry out a new burdens assessment into the measures set out in the Supported Housing (Regulatory Oversight) Bill once it has Royal Assent.
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Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
21 Recommendation Third Report - Exempt Accommodation Accepted

Demand for exempt accommodation is driven in part by a shortage of affordable homes.

Demand for exempt accommodation is driven in part by a shortage of affordable homes. To solve the issues found in exempt accommodation the Government must solve the wider housing crisis. We reiterate the recommendations from our 2020 report, “Building more social housing”—in particular, our call on the Government to build … Read more

Government response AI summary
The government states that through the £11.5 billion Affordable Homes Programme, they deliver affordable homes for both sale and rent, and will increase the share of social rent homes within the programme, also stating that since 2010, they have delivered over 632,600 new affordable homes.
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Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
24 Recommendation Third Report - Exempt Accommodation Accepted

The lease-based model has its place in exempt accommodation, by enabling access to properties for...

The lease-based model has its place in exempt accommodation, by enabling access to properties for decent providers who would otherwise not be able to purchase properties outright. However, it can be exploited by those whose primary objective is to make huge profits at the expense of the taxpayer: we received … Read more

Government response AI summary
The government says it will strongly support local authorities in taking action against exploitative landlords. Measures in the Supported Housing (Regulatory Oversight) Bill include a proposed fit and proper person test. They will also consider how they can align the licensing regime and national standards …
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Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government

Oral evidence sessions

3 sessions
Date Witnesses
4 Jul 2022 Cathy Page · Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, David Rutley · Department for Work and Pensions, Eddie Hughes · Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, James Wolfe · Department for Work and Pensions View ↗
27 Apr 2022 Ashley Horsey · Commonweal Housing, David Fensome · Concept Housing Association, Denise Hatton · YMCA England & Wales, Farah Nazeer · Women's Aid Federation of England, Henry Meacock · St Petrocs, Matt Downie · Crisis, Sam Lister · Chartered Institute of Housing View ↗
28 Mar 2022 Cllr Neil Jory · West Devon Borough Council, Cllr Sharon Thompson · West Midlands Combined Authority, Debbie Ivanova · Care Quality Commission (CQC), Guy Chaundy · Birmingham City Council, Helen Clipsom · City Of Bradford Metropolitan District Council, Jonathan Walters · Regulator of Social Housing, Paul Latham · Charity Commission View ↗

Who gave evidence

18 witnesses
WitnessOrganisationSessions
Ashley Horsey · Chief Executive Commonweal Housing 1
Cathy Page · Deputy Director for Supported Housing, Domestic A… Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities 1
Cllr Neil Jory · Leader West Devon Borough Council 1
Cllr Sharon Thompson · Chair of the Homelessness Taskforce Members Advis… West Midlands Combined Authority 1
David Fensome · Chief Executive Concept Housing Association 1
David Rutley · Minister for Welfare Delivery Department for Work and Pensions 1
Debbie Ivanova · Deputy Chief Inspector Care Quality Commission (CQC) 1
Denise Hatton · National Secretary and CEO YMCA England & Wales 1
Eddie Hughes · Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Minister … Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities 1
Farah Nazeer · Chief Executive Women's Aid Federation of England 1
Guy Chaundy · Senior Manager Housing Strategy, City Housing Birmingham City Council 1
Helen Clipsom · Outreach and Private Rented Options Service Manag… City Of Bradford Metropolitan District Council 1
Henry Meacock · Chief Executive St Petrocs 1
James Wolfe · Director, Disability and Housing Support Department for Work and Pensions 1
Jonathan Walters · Deputy Chief Executive Regulator of Social Housing 1
Matt Downie · Chief Executive Crisis 1
Paul Latham · Director of Communication and Policy Charity Commission 1
Sam Lister · Policy and Professional Practice Officer Chartered Institute of Housing 1

Correspondence

10 letters
DateDirectionTitle
27 Jun 2023 To cttee Letter from the Secretary of State to the Chair dated 20 June 2023 concerning t…
10 Jan 2023 To cttee Letter from the Secretary of State to the Chair dated 6 January 2023 concerning…
12 Oct 2022 To cttee Letter from the Minister for Welfare Delivery to the Chair dated 5 September 20…
6 Sep 2022 To cttee Letter from the Comptroller and Auditor General to the Chair dated 27 July 2022…
13 Jul 2022 To cttee Letter from the Chair to the Comptroller and Auditor General dated 13 July 2022…
13 Jul 2022 To cttee Letter from the Chair to the Minister for Welfare Delivery dated 13 July 2022 c…
5 Jul 2022 To cttee Letter from the Minister for Welfare Delivery to the Chair dated 30 June 2022 c…
5 Jul 2022 To cttee Letter from the Minister for Rough Sleeping and Housing to the Chair dated 1 Ju…
17 May 2022 To cttee Letter from the Chair to the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions dated 17 …
8 Feb 2022 To cttee Letter from the Minister for Rough Sleeping and Housing to the Chair dated 26 J…