Source · Select Committees · Public Accounts Committee
Recommendation 7
7
Accepted
Implement the provisions of the Supported Housing (Regulatory Oversight) Act as quickly as possible.
Conclusion
Despite legislation designed to tackle well-established problems and gaps in regulation, MHCLG has made no progress in improving the oversight of the supported housing sector. Supported housing can provide much-needed homes for people transitioning from homelessness, or may stop people from becoming homeless in the first place. But this Committee has previously expressed concerns that gaps in regulation mean landlords can provide costly, sub-standard housing with little support, supervision or care. The Supported Housing (Regulatory Oversight) Act came into force in August 2023. It brought forward national standards for support, and looked to give local authorities power to tackle poor quality supported housing in their area, yet by the end of 2024 the Act had not been implemented. MHCLG has applications open for membership of a supported housing advisory panel. It will be at least early 2025 before it issues a consultation on a proposed local authority licensing scheme for supported housing landlords. The consultation is likely to last for several months, after which MHCLG will need to evaluate the responses and lay the appropriate regulations, before finally implementing the scheme. We are not persuaded by MHCLG’s argument that it still cannot commit to any form of timetable for implementing the provisions of the Act. recommendation MHCLG should implement the provisions of the Supported Housing (Regulatory Oversight) Act as quickly as possible, and provide an update on its progress in its Treasury Minute response. 8 1 Support for people who are homeless or threatened with homelessness Introduction
Government Response Summary
The government published a consultation on 20 February 2025, open for 12 weeks, detailing proposals for a local licensing regime and national standards for supported housing, and seeking views on linking Housing Benefit.
Government Response
Accepted
HM Government
Accepted
The government agrees with the Committee’s recommendation. (Regulatory Oversight) Act was published on 20 February 2025 and is open for 12 weeks. This sets out proposals on a locally led licensing regime for supported housing and the National Supported Housing Standards. The consultation also seeks views on potentially linking Housing Benefit to the licensing regime in England, to new or existing frameworks in Scotland and Wales and defining care, support and supervision in Housing Benefit regulations in England, Scotland and Wales. Following the consultation, the government will issue a response as soon as possible.