Source · Select Committees · Housing, Communities and Local Government Committee
Recommendation 14
14
Acknowledged
Paragraph: 84
The Government has no idea how much taxpayer money is spent on exempt accommodation, nor...
Conclusion
The Government has no idea how much taxpayer money is spent on exempt accommodation, nor what this money is spent on. It cannot know whether the current system is delivering value for money. Millions of pounds are being poured into exempt housing benefit with no guarantee that vulnerable residents will get the support they need. In some cases, vulnerable residents who are likely to have low incomes have to pay for support out of their own pockets. It is quite possible that the Government does not need to spend more on exempt accommodation but to spend more wisely.
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:
84
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.