Source · Select Committees · Housing, Communities and Local Government Committee
Recommendation 13
13
Acknowledged
Paragraph: 83
Within twelve months of publication of this report, the Government must organise the collection, collation...
Recommendation
Within twelve months of publication of this report, the Government must organise the collection, collation and publication of annual statistics at a local authority level on the following: • The number of exempt accommodation claimants; • The number of exempt accommodation providers; • The number of housing units used for exempt accommodation; • The number of exempt accommodation housing units per provider; • The number of exempt accommodation claimants per provider; 48 Exempt Accommodation • The number of exempt accommodation providers registered with different regulators, and commissioned to provide accommodation or support; • The number of providers meeting and failing to meet the national standards we set out; and • The amount of money paid by both the DWP and the local authority in exempt accommodation housing benefit.
Government Response Summary
The government has commissioned research to assess the supported housing sector, to be published by the end of 2023, which will consider systematically collecting and publishing data. DWP has made changes to Housing Benefit data collection and is funding local authority reviews of Housing Benefit stock, and the local authority strategic plans and licensing schemes are expected to improve the evidence base.
Paragraph Reference:
83
Government Response
Acknowledged
HM Government
Acknowledged
35. We have commissioned research to provide an up-to-date assessment of the size, cost, and demand of the supported housing sector across Great Britain. Findings will be published by the end of 2023. The research will also consider how Government could systematically collect and publish data to monitor the sector, whilst making best use of existing local and national data systems. 36.T he Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has made changes to the way local authorities provide Housing Benefit data on supported housing claims that will ensure that, over time, better data is available on the number of claimants in exempt accommodation, and the amount being spent on exempt accommodation. These changes started to take effect for new claims from April 2022 and will therefore take some time for data to improve. DWP have also secured funding to cover the cost of local authorities undertaking a full desk-based review of their Housing Benefit stock cases from April 2023, to improve the accuracy of the data. 37. In addition, the local authority strategic plans and licensing schemes due to be implemented through the Supported Housing (Regulatory Oversight) Bill are expected to improve the supported housing evidence base. We recognise the importance of data in driving improvements and will work with the committee to provide reassurance going forward.