From ‘CRISIS’
In the last few weeks, we have launched a new campaign called Regulate the Rogues. The campaign’s aim is to improve the standards and close the loopholes of exempt accommodation. With these changes we can end the homelessness of thousands of people.
Find out more about what the problem is, the realities of living in the worst kind of exempt accommodation (and exactly what this term means) and how you can help.
Why exempt accommodation?
Exempt accommodation is also known as supported housing; it has extra support for people experiencing homelessness with additional needs to help rebuild their lives. This type of accommodation is ‘exempt’ from housing benefit rules, allowing landlords to charge high rents for the support with the costs covered by the UK Government.
There are good providers of exempt accommodation. However some rogue landlords exploit the rules to charge higher rents but force people to live in unsafe and dangerous housing with little to no support. A recent BBC documentary exposed one rogue landlord.
The true scale of the problem is unclear, but the latest figures show over 150,000 households lived in exempt accommodation in May 2021.
What does this mean for the people living in unsafe exempt accommodation?
We have heard from people who have faced distressing conditions in exempt accommodation across the country. Richard’s story is the reality of how exempt accommodation can make you feel just as you think you are being helped.
Our campaign video describes some of the ways marginalised people are being asked to live and how this is pushing people back towards being homeless.
It doesn’t have to be this way! Well-managed exempt accommodation can provide the safe, secure home and support for people to thrive.
We want to root out rogue landlords that are seeking to profit rather than supporting people.
To do this we are calling on the Housing Secretary to back new laws that regulate the rogues. Will you sign our letter to the government?
Thanks for taking the time to read about exempt accommodation and our new campaign.
All the best,
David Copsey
Supporter Engagement