Pilots to improve supported housing extended

Four pilots to improve the standard and quality of supported housing in England have been extended, backed by an additional £2.3 million of government funding.

Minister for Housing Eddie Hughes said that the pilots in Birmingham, Blackburn, Blackpool and Hull have been extended for another six months so that councils can build on their work so far, improving support for residents and value for money. They were originally launched in October to test innovative approaches to drive up standards and ensure vulnerable people receive the tailored support they need - with findings to inform future national policy.

It is now hoped that the pilots will help strengthen enforcement in the sector, such as accommodation inspections, to crack down on the small number of landlords who provide poor-quality homes and inadequate support to the vulnerable people living there.

In supported housing, accommodation is provided alongside care, support or supervision to help people live as independently as possible in the community. The pilots are focused on short-term supported accommodation, which is often for vulnerable people such as those with experience of homelessness, mental health issues or domestic abuse, aiming to provide them with the skills to enter longer-term independent accommodation.

Over the next six months the four councils will gather more data and evaluate their work so that the government can fully assess the impact of the pilots and introduce national changes.

Hughes said: “Supporting the most vulnerable people in our society is a priority for the government as we build back better. It is unacceptable that some vulnerable people are living in sub-standard supported accommodation, receiving insufficient help that does not meet their needs. We are determined to take action to drive up standards across the sector and by extending the pilots in Birmingham, Hull, Blackpool and Blackburn we can continue test innovative new approaches. From this, we will develop long-term nation-wide solutions, and ensure vulnerable people get high quality accommodation and the support they need.”