Supported Living: Is The Government Doing Enough?

Inside of one of the accommodations. 

The Government is being urged to crack down on unscrupulous providers who are accused of exploiting vulnerable people living in specific residential schemes.

’Supported housing’ is a resettlement option, which is provided by the local government and is used for people who have fewer housing options than the wider society. Residents include vulnerable people such as prison leavers, recovering addicts and those fleeing domestic violence.

Birmingham has the majority of these landlords in the region - particularly dense in areas like Balsall Heath and Edgbaston. Many of these properties can be found across the country.

Birmingham City Council told Covfeed that the city is struggling to accommodate every person in need of housing support.

Nick Milton, press officer from the council said: “In the last five years, the supported housing market has increased exponentially from 11,000 to over 23,000 units, when our research has shown that the city requires 9,000 units, to meet local needs.”

The Government’s Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities funds the supported housing and pays providers through housing benefits.

Councils in areas like Birmingham, Blackpool and Hull have received a combined total of £6 million to improve support for vulnerable tenants.

This is part of the Government's £20 million Supported Housing Improvement Programme. The aim of the programme is to ensure that more frequent inspections of the accommodations are carried out.

However, claiming housing benefits for housing will be more difficult for providers, as the Council has significant concerns about the quality of support that is being offered to residents.

The Government is being urged by the local authority to bring in legislation to “reform the sector”.

Nick said: “In Birmingham, there are too many cases of vulnerable people being exploited by unscrupulous housing providers as well as communities whose streets have been blighted by supported properties, which have become a focus for crime and anti-social behaviour.”

“Of course, there are good housing providers as well, and as a council, we are fully supportive of them.” he added.

Sign inside supported accommodation.

The region offers supported accommodations in many other places to help vulnerable people live independently.

Brian Hitchcock, 63, who is a resident in Coventry, spoke about his experience living in accommodation in Foleshill. He was brought there six weeks ago because he was at risk of committing suicide.

He said: “I feel safe and relaxed here, the staff and management are good.”

Brian was asked about the impact this has made on his life and he said: “I’m not homeless anymore!”

Homelessness charity Shelter said that in 2021, West Midlands alone had over 17,000 people who were homeless, with one in 96 people being in Birmingham. The number of people who were housed by the council was lower, with just over 15,000.

Birmingham City Council has a Charter of Rights that all housing providers should sign up to, ensuring that their residents are safe and comfortable in their homes.

For more information on the Charter of Rights and exempt housing, visit Birmingham City Council’s website.