Source · Select Committees · Public Accounts Committee
Recommendation 12
12
Accepted
New Supported Housing Act places significant unfunded burdens on local authorities.
Conclusion
The Act will introduce several new measures that will increase powers for local authorities to have more control over supported housing in their areas. During the DLUHC funded pilot schemes for the Supported Housing Improvement Programme, local authorities were able to test ideas to improve supported housing in their areas, thereby allowing them to use and pass on the learning from the pilots when the Act is brought into force.21 Alongside developing national supported housing standards, the Act will require new duties of local authorities that will include developing supported housing strategies and an option to introduce licensing schemes for providers.22 The Act places significant new burdens on local authorities—who are already struggling with resources and capacity —to undertake these new duties. DLUHC has committed to a wide consultation to assess how it will best support local authorities to fund these new powers and responsibilities, including assessing whether local authorities will need new burdens funding to help with costs.23 Lack of reliable data
Government Response Summary
The government agrees, stating DLUHC will publish a consultation in early 2024 on the design of measures from the Supported Housing Act, including supporting local authorities with new burdens funding and guidance for implementing reforms.
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.