The Government stands accused of letting Birmingham down by stalling on crucial promises to regulate the controversial 'supported exempt accommodation' sector. Promised legislation and enhanced regulations have been kicked down the road until 2027, leaving the city feeling abandoned to landlords and private companies exploiting lax rules, according to concerned campaigners and local councillors.
Birmingham: The National Epicentre of a Growing Crisis
The scale of the issue in Birmingham is staggering. The number of individuals housed in shared 'supported' accommodation has rocketed to over 32,000 people, spread across more than 11,000 properties. This makes Birmingham the undeniable national epicentre for this type of housing. Councillor Lisa Trickett, chairing the council's homes scrutiny and overview committee, highlighted the dire impact, noting this figure is equivalent to two Castle Vales or five Druids Heaths.
A Sector Worth Hundreds of Millions
The still-growing sector is now valued at in excess of £300 million annually in Birmingham alone. Some providers are reportedly receiving over £400 per room every week in public funds for housing 'hard to house' tenants. These tenants often include ex-prisoners, individuals battling addiction, those in recovery, people with mental health issues, rough sleepers, care leavers, and victims of violence.
Cllr Trickett emphasised the widespread nature of the problem, citing concerns in her own Brandwood and Kings Heath ward about really horrendous experiences linked to specific exempt properties. This is not a minor issue for this city. It is impacting all neighbourhoods and...hundreds of streets, she warned, expressing frustration that new regulations are not expected until April 2027.
Frustration Over Government Inaction
Stephen Philpotts, the city council's director of housing solutions and support services, expressed shared frustration. While the passage of the Supported Housing Regulatory Oversight Act in 2023 was initially seen as a victory, to a degree, momentum has stalled. Frustratingly, what we haven't seen is pace since then, he stated, noting the lack of a government response to a consultation that ended last May and the delayed start of a second phase.
Local Efforts Hampered by Lack of Power
The council's multi-agency Supported Housing team, operating as a government-funded pilot, has achieved some local successes. Over five years, it has inspected thousands of properties, responded to complaints, and seen 99 properties 'decommissioned'. However, only one property has been fully shut down. The team's efforts are constrained by the current regulatory framework.
Philpotts pointed out that while parts of the sector legitimately provide good quality accommodation and support, the council's voluntary quality standards programme lacks teeth, with only 15% of providers achieving accreditation. There is a lot going on...but we acknowledge you only have to open the press, speak to resident forums...they are seeing and sensing the pain, he told councillors, highlighting the ongoing impact on neighbourhoods and homeless services.
A Call for United Action and Stronger Enforcement
Cllr Trickett called for MPs of all parties to join forces with the council and campaign groups to demand urgent action. A letter signed by all political group leaders has been sent, but she stressed that without government giving us the teeth to actually do enforcement, abuse of the system will continue. She added, There is no doubt that there are people and organisations using Birmingham as a cash cow. The big problem is that we have not got government backing on this. We have been abandoned.
She urged that more must be done by the police, housing benefits teams, and the Regulator of Social Housing to end the misery for tenants and communities until stronger regulations are in place.
Government Response and Ongoing Concerns
A spokesperson for the Ministry of Housing, Local Government and Communities stated: We are committed to improving the regulation and quality of supported housing. It is crucial that we get this right to protect residents and give people the support that they need. They indicated that implementation of the new Act will begin with guidance issued to local authorities this month. However, the Government has still not responded to last year's consultation, and councils have been informed that full legislative implementation will not occur before next year.
Officials are also engaged in high-level discussions with government and other authorities about concerns regarding the displacement of people moving into exempt properties in Birmingham, a national issue linked to homelessness. It's not in our gift to just physically stop people presenting and moving into supported exempt within the city, Philpotts explained.
