Recommendation 16

DLUHC and DWP are taking steps to better understand supported housing with the publication of the new snapshot of data. To ensure its understanding is relevant in the future, DLUHC is relying on the new duties that the Act imposes to get local authorities to provide it with annual data. The Act requires local authorities to produce new local housing strategies as part of a licensing scheme for supported housing in their areas.32 DLUHC expects local authorities will draw on the strategies and licensing schemes to provide information, including on supply and demand. There is currently no timetable for the local housing strategies to be completed and the licensing schemes are not mandatory.33 26 C&AG’s Report, para 15 27 Q 81; C&AG’s Report, para 2.21 28 Q 13 29 C&AG’s Report, para 2.22 30 Qq 67–69 31 Q 67 32 Qq 32, 60 33 C&AG’s Report, Figure 5 12 Supported housing 2 Burdens on local authorities Supported housing local licencing schemes, and possible unintended consequences