Supported housing offers a wide range of accommodation-based support for vulnerable people, aiming to give them independence, support and control over their housing choices.
It is used for people who need additional support, such as those fleeing domestic abuse, those with mental and physical health problems, and those who are experiencing homelessness.
But serious concerns have been raised about whether a particular part of the sector – a type of shared housing known as exempt accommodation – is appropriately regulated.
Different types of organisations providing supported housing are regulated by different bodies, while some parts of the sector are not regulated at all.
A recent report by the cross-party Levelling Up, Housing and Communities Committee called the current system of exempt accommodation a “complete mess” that is failing too many residents and local communities at the expense of the taxpayer [1].
The London Assembly Housing Committee will meet tomorrow to assess concerns with non-commissioned exempt accommodation in London, and how these concerns compare to other areas of Britain.
The guests are:
- Tom Copley, Deputy Mayor for Housing and Residential Development
- Bob Blackman, MP for Harrow East
- Jasmine Basran, Head of Policy and Campaigns, Crisis
- Councillor Sharon Thompson, Cabinet Member for Housing and Homelessness, Birmingham City Council
- Guy Chaundy, Senior Manager Housing Strategy, Birmingham City Council
The meeting will take place on Tuesday, 6 December from 10am, in the Chamber at City Hall, Kamal Chunchie Way, E16 1ZE.
Media and members of the public are invited to attend.
The meeting can also be viewed LIVE or later via webcast or YouTube.
Follow us @LondonAssembly
Notes to editors
- Exempt housing and support services are a ‘complete mess’, says Committee - 27 October 2022
- Full agenda papers.
- Sem Moema AM, Chair of the Housing Committee, is available for interviews.
- Find out more about the Housing Committee.
- As well as investigating issues that matter to Londoners, the London Assembly acts as a check and a balance on the Mayor.
For media enquiries, please contact Emma Bowden on 07849 303 897. For out of hours media enquiries, call 020 7983 4000 and ask for the London Assembly duty press officer.