The Government Has Heard Our Concerns on Exempt Accommodation – But It Still Doesn’t Go Far Enough

I recently received a response from Alison McGovern MP, Minister of State for Local Government and Homelessness, following my letter regarding the unchecked growth of Supported Exempt Accommodation across Birmingham and in my ward of Sutton Wylde Green.

The Minister’s response is welcome in one important respect: it acknowledges the serious challenges posed by poor-quality supported housing and recognises that Birmingham has been particularly affected.

In it, they confirm the Governments commitment to implement Bob Blackman’s Supported Housing (Regulatory Oversight) Act 2023, which introduces a framework for regulating a sector that has operated with far too little oversight for far too long.

However, despite these positive signals, the response ultimately does not go far enough.

Residents are still expected to wait while more family homes are converted into exempt accommodation properties, often without planning permission, public consultation or meaningful local scrutiny.

The Minister confirms that local authorities will eventually gain licensing powers- but not planning- and the ability to refuse licences where concerns exist. While this is some progress, licensing alone will not solve the underlying issue of concentration. And the devil is in the detail and enforcement as by the time a licensing application arrives, a property may already be operating.

The wider question on the levelof consultation and say that local communities have remains unanswered. At present, the answer is largely little.

The response also highlights a provision within the Act requiring Government to consider a dedicated planning use class for supported housing. However, this review will only take place after the licensing regime has been operating for three years.

Three years.

For communities already experiencing the consequences of uncontrolled growth, that is simply too long.

Every month that passes without planning controls allows further expansion under the current system. Once concentrations become established, reversing the impact becomes significantly more difficult.

The Government appears to be asking communities to wait until the effects of licensing can be assessed before considering planning reform. Yet many of us believe the evidence already exists.

In Birmingham we have seen:

• Large concentrations of exempt accommodation in certain neighbourhoods.
• Family housing stock lost to conversion.
• Significant pressure placed on local services.
• Growing public frustration and loss of confidence.
• Vulnerable residents housed in locations that may not always be suitable for their needs.
• Millions of pounds of public funding distributed with insufficient accountability.

Planning exists precisely to balance competing needs and ensure developments are appropriate for their location. It allows local authorities to consider infrastructure, local services, community impact, transport, parking, schools and public opinion.

It is difficult to understand why exempt accommodation should continue to enjoy exemptions from planning scrutiny when the consequences can be so significant.

Good supported housing should be welcomed.

Poorly planned concentrations of supported housing should not.

The distinction matters.

I remain convinced that Birmingham City Council and other local authorities should be given stronger powers now, not in three years’ time. The proposal advanced by Conservative Group Leader Cllr Robert Alden, using a Statutory Instrument to bring exempt accommodation within planning control, deserves serious consideration.

The Government’s response suggests that reform is coming.

The question is whether it will arrive quickly enough.

Bob Blackman’s Act provides the foundations for change and should be applauded. However, legislation alone will not restore public confidence. Communities need practical tools to manage growth, prevent overconcentration and ensure supported housing is located where it can genuinely succeed.