Recommendations & Conclusions
6 items
2
Conclusion
Third Report - Exempt Accommodation
Accepted in Part
Since areas with high concentrations of exempt accommodation can attract anti- social behaviour, crime, rubbish, and vermin, neighbours and communities are affected negatively as well as residents. These impacts risk undermining local support for supported housing.
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Since areas with high concentrations of exempt accommodation can attract anti- social behaviour, crime, rubbish, and vermin, neighbours and communities are affected negatively as well as residents. These impacts risk undermining local support for supported housing.
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Government response AI summary
The government acknowledges the negative impacts and, while having no immediate plans to change use classes, states that the Supported Housing (Regulatory Oversight) Bill includes a duty for local authorities to produce strategies and implement licensing schemes to ensure appropriate provision. DLUHC will review the …
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Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
11
Recommendation
Third Report - Exempt Accommodation
Accepted in Part
We recommend that a National Oversight Committee be urgently established to address the oversight issues relating to exempt accommodation. Among its functions we expect that it would coordinate awareness of emerging issues, inform the development of policy in this area and develop proposals for reform of the regulatory system. The …
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We recommend that a National Oversight Committee be urgently established to address the oversight issues relating to exempt accommodation. Among its functions we expect that it would coordinate awareness of emerging issues, inform the development of policy in this area and develop proposals for reform of the regulatory system. The composition of the committee should include the existing regulators— the Care Quality Commission, Regulator of Social Housing, Charity Commission, Financial Conduct Authority and the Office of the Regulator of Community Interest Companies—officials from DLUHC, the Local Government Association, and any other organisation it was thought would make a valuable contribution to improving oversight. One of the committee’s first tasks should be to input into the development of the national standards we have recommended. (Paragraph 60) Data and costs
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Government response AI summary
The government will establish a Supported Housing Advisory Panel through the Supported Housing (Regulatory Oversight) Bill to provide information and advice on the regulatory oversight of supported housing and bring together key stakeholders.
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Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
16
Recommendation
Third Report - Exempt Accommodation
Accepted in Part
Providers of exempt accommodation are supposed to be not-for-profit, and there are many responsible providers, some of whom gave evidence to us. However, we also heard that the current system offers a licence to print money to those who wish to exploit it. We do not agree with the former …
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Providers of exempt accommodation are supposed to be not-for-profit, and there are many responsible providers, some of whom gave evidence to us. However, we also heard that the current system offers a licence to print money to those who wish to exploit it. We do not agree with the former Minister that using Freedom of Information requests to determine potential rent levels is a viable business model. Instead it gives the impression of a cartel pushing up rent levels and pocketing the excess at the expense of vulnerable residents and the taxpayer. The bar for local authorities to challenge rent levels is too high and appeals have rarely found in the council’s favour. Eligibility for funding for exempt accommodation must be based on an open-book, transparent breakdown of the accommodation and the support costs incurred to the provider. The Government should consider how to give councils greater control over rents for exempt accommodation to ensure value for money.
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Government response AI summary
The government agrees costs should be more transparent and will improve transparency through the Supported Housing (Regulatory Oversight) Bill; DWP intends to change Housing Benefit regulations to define ‘care, support and supervision’ to help local authorities drive up standards and ensure value for money.
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Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
19
Recommendation
Third Report - Exempt Accommodation
Accepted in Part
The Government, in its written ministerial statement in March and in evidence to us, said it intends to take forward measures that will include new powers for local authorities to better manage their local supported housing market. We recommend that these measures include planning reforms that would assist councils to …
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The Government, in its written ministerial statement in March and in evidence to us, said it intends to take forward measures that will include new powers for local authorities to better manage their local supported housing market. We recommend that these measures include planning reforms that would assist councils to implement local strategies for exempt accommodation based on an assessment of need.
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Government response AI summary
While there are no plans to make changes to use classes, the Supported Housing (Regulatory Oversight) Bill includes a proposed duty for local authorities to produce local supported housing strategies, and the Secretary of State will review the effect of licensing schemes in 3 years …
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Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
22
Recommendation
Third Report - Exempt Accommodation
Accepted in Part
The multitude of models of exempt accommodation produces a complex landscape with no guarantee of quality. We have heard concerns about the quality of non- commissioned exempt accommodation, but have also been provided with good examples of specialist non-commissioned providers. Likewise, in the absence of data, it has not been …
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The multitude of models of exempt accommodation produces a complex landscape with no guarantee of quality. We have heard concerns about the quality of non- commissioned exempt accommodation, but have also been provided with good examples of specialist non-commissioned providers. Likewise, in the absence of data, it has not been possible to demonstrate whether registered or non-registered providers offer a higher quality of provision. Therefore, the implementation of our recommendations on standards, oversight and costs should be implemented across all models to ensure overall quality is improved and value for money is delivered across the piece. The improved data collection that we recommend should be monitored and analysed to determine whether models of exempt accommodation should be streamlined in the future.
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Government response AI summary
The government is introducing the Supported Housing (Regulatory Oversight) Bill to improve oversight and enable local authority licensing schemes, and will consult on additional measures to ensure compliance with national support standards. However, they believe these measures are better than mandatory registration, and while they …
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Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
23
Recommendation
Third Report - Exempt Accommodation
Accepted in Part
We also recommend that action be taken to address this complex landscape, by making it compulsory for all providers to be registered. A mechanism is required to ensure that there is better quality provision and that standards are maintained. Good providers will have nothing to fear from registration, while the …
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We also recommend that action be taken to address this complex landscape, by making it compulsory for all providers to be registered. A mechanism is required to ensure that there is better quality provision and that standards are maintained. Good providers will have nothing to fear from registration, while the bad providers can have their 50 Exempt Accommodation registration removed. We heard some concerns that the cost and additional reporting requirements of being registered may impact on smaller providers, particularly those reliant on charitable and grant funding. We do not see why this is the case, or why it should continue to be so. Registering should not be unnecessarily onerous or expensive, and if it is that should change. Therefore, we call upon the Regulator of Social Housing to take action to make it easier for smaller providers of exempt accommodation to register with them.
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Government response AI summary
The government states the Supported Housing (Regulatory Oversight) Bill will improve oversight via licensing schemes, and will consult on additional measures to ensure compliance with national standards. They do not agree with mandatory registration with the Regulator of Social Housing, but will ensure non-social housing …
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Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government