New data from Birmingham City Council reveals that thirteen wards in Birmingham have become major concentrations of exempt supported accommodation, housing homeless individuals and those needing support. The worst-affected areas include North Edgbaston (592 properties), Sparkbrook & Balsall Heath East (505), Stockland Green (501), Aston (494), Soho & Jewellery Quarter (454), and Sparkhill (454). These wards each host over 450 exempt properties, many converted from family homes into rooms for four to six people with complex needs.
Citywide Scale and Growth
Across Birmingham, there are now 33,904 people living in 12,166 exempt properties—triple the number in 2018. All residents rely on enhanced housing benefit of £200 to £400 per week per room, paid directly to providers. Another seven wards—Gravelly Hill, Alum Rock, Birchfield, Bordesley Green, Erdington, Bordesley and Highgate, and Handsworth—have more than 300 such properties each. No ward is immune, though wealthier areas have far fewer.
Concerns Over Regulation and Oversight
Supported exempt accommodation is meant to provide housing and support for vulnerable people, but a lack of regulation and oversight has led to reports of financial exploitation, poor standards, and increased antisocial behaviour. Neighbours in concentrated areas complain of crime and disorder. Birmingham City Council acknowledges its limited powers; a multi-agency team investigates concerns and inspects properties, but efforts are often undermined by the absence of robust national rules.
According to the council, there was cross-party agreement at a full council meeting earlier this month to press the Government to introduce planned new powers and go further by licensing all properties and enforcing planning requirements. The council is also conducting an internal probe into its handling of housing benefit claims.
Full Ward Breakdown
The data, provided exclusively to BirminghamLive, lists the number of exempt properties and live claims per ward. The highest concentrations are in inner-city and deprived areas, while affluent Sutton wards have single-digit numbers—Sutton Mere Green has just one property. The council operates a voluntary accreditation scheme for providers and has resisted fraudulent claims where possible.
