Source · Select Committees · Housing, Communities and Local Government Committee
Recommendation 6
6
Acknowledged
Paragraph: 55
Within twelve months of the publication of this report, the Government should publish national standards,...
Recommendation
Within twelve months of the publication of this report, the Government should publish national standards, and give local authorities the power and resources to enforce these standards, in the following areas: • The referral process, which should include an assessment of the prospective resident’s support needs and if there are any considerations about with whom they should or should not be housed; • Care, support, or supervision, which should include helping the resident progress towards independence and employment; • The quality of housing; and • Information the provider must give to the resident, including on their rights, particularly their right to work and right to complain.
Government Response Summary
The government will bring forward national standards for support and give local authorities the power to set up licensing schemes. Referral pathways, resident needs assessments, and information provision will be considered as part of developing licensing regulations and national support standards. They are also working to improve housing quality and reviewing the Decent Homes Standard and the Housing Health and Safety Rating System.
Paragraph Reference:
55
Government Response
Acknowledged
HM Government
Acknowledged
23.T he Government is aware that some local authorities want regulatory tools to challenge providers on the quality of support they provide to residents. The Supported Housing (Regulatory Oversight) Bill will achieve this by bringing forward national standards for support and giving local authorities the power to set up licensing schemes where there is poor quality supported housing in their area. 24. Referral pathways, an assessment of prospective resident’s needs, and information provided to residents are important aspects of this work and we will look at these as part of the development of the licensing regulations and national standards for support. 25. We will formally consult with the sector and interested parties, including providers, local authorities, and residents of supported housing, to develop the licensing scheme and national standards for support as soon as possible after Royal Assent, publishing our plans once the Bill has commenced. 26. In addition, DLUHC and DWP are also working closely together to drive up quality in both supported housing and affordable housing more widely. As one part of this, the Government has been establishing the Building Safety Regulator, which will play a role in improving housing quality. 27.T he Government has also set an ambition to reduce non-decency in rented homes by 50% by 2030, with the biggest improvements in the lowest-performing areas. We are committed to reviewing the Decent Homes Standard that provides for minimum standards in the Social Rented Sector, as well as applying the DHS to the Private Rented Sector for the first time. We have also concluded our review of the Housing Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS) and will publish a summary of the findings and agree next steps in due course.