Source · Select Committees · Public Accounts Committee
Recommendation 9
9
Accepted
Lack of regulation in exempt accommodation leads to exploitation and disgraceful resident experiences.
Recommendation
The Levelling Up, Housing and Communities Committee focused on exempt accommodation, a subset of supported housing, during its inquiry in 2022. It described the sector as a “complete mess”, and a “goldrush” for unscrupulous landlords.13 The Committee took evidence from several residents living in such supported housing, local authorities and other stakeholders. The Committee concluded that some residents’ experiences of exempt accommodation were “beyond disgraceful” and noted the lack of regulation and governance of providers, and “the exploitation of the system by people seeking to make profit from it”.14
Government Response Summary
The government agrees and will publish a consultation in early 2024 on the detailed design of measures in the Supported Housing Act 2023, including local licensing schemes and national standards. DLUHC will also provide new burdens funding and guidance to support local authorities' implementation.
Government Response
Accepted
HM Government
Accepted
2.1 The government agrees with the Committee’s recommendation. Target implementation date: Winter 2023 2.2 DLUHC will publish a consultation in early 2024 on the detailed design of the measures set out in the Supported Housing (Regulatory Oversight) Act 2023 (the Act). It is extremely important to hear from local authorities who will be implementing these measures, including locally led licensing schemes for supported housing and overseeing the enforcement of new National Supported Housing Standards. The government is mindful of any unintended consequences on vulnerable residents. 2.3 DLUHC will support local authorities in implementing measures in the Act including through new burdens funding. A new burdens assessment will be undertaken following the consultation. 2.4 DLUHC will also publish guidance alongside the National Supported Housing Standards and the licensing regime regulations to support local authorities in implementing these reforms and to ensure consistency. 2.5 DLUHC has written separately to the Committee in response to this recommendation.