The National Audit Office has released a new report into supported housing, with data showing that some landlords are facing less scrutiny and are profiting from costly, sub-standard housing.
Supported housing allows people with specific needs to have their housing provided alongside their support, supervision or care, allowing them to live as independently as they can despite their specific needs. Housing of this kind can take the form of specialised housing, short-term housing, or sheltered housing. Due to gaps in legislation, however, it has been discovered that some providers of supported housing are facing less scrutiny than others.
The report from the NAO found that one local authority discovered 323 hazards that were classed as serious and immediate risks to a person’s health and safety, out of 345 supported housing units inspected between April 2019 and January 2022. This was reported to the Committee for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, however a lack of government data on exempt accommodation makes it harder to pinpoint the scale of the issue.
The Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities is aware that there is a limit to the data that is holds, however it has commissioned research to gather an understanding of the state of the supported housing sector that is more up-to-date. This also comes following last year’s allocation of £20 million to 26 local authorities around the country to help them improve the quality of supported housing. This funding is also aimed at help local authorities improve their knowledge of the supply and demand in their communities.
Gareth Davies, Head of the National Audit Office, said:
“Better data and regulation can be driving forces behind much-needed improvements in supported housing. Assisting local authorities to ably scrutinise landlords can help raise housing standards for some of the most vulnerable people in our society, who deserve far better.”
A new Bill, with government backing, is set to come into force in the summer of this year, with the goal of improving national supported housing standards, however this will require local authorities understanding the state of supported housing in their area.
The Local Government Association also responded to the report, with Housing Spokesperson Councillor Darren Rodwell saying:
“We share councils’ concern about the minority of unscrupulous landlords who exploit the supported housing system for financial gain leaving people living in in poor quality accommodation with inadequate support. It has a detrimental impact on people’s lives and adds cost to the public purse.
“We will continue to support the development of the Government’s new Supported Housing Bill to ensure concerns around potential capacity and financial challenges for councils during implementation are addressed.”
