Government must address ‘inadequate’ supported housing funding before it implements licensing regime, report warns

Emmaus’ report urged the government to strengthen the National Supported Housing Standards in order to “reflect what drives quality”, including a more explicit focus on the value of purposeful activity, community and social connection, and security and flexibility of stay.

It also highlighted the importance of designing a licensing regime that “protects quality without reducing supply”, given that many providers are operating under severe financial strain.

The report said: “In a context where one in three supported housing providers reported housing site or scheme closures last year due to funding pressures, regulatory design cannot be divorced from funding reality.

“Without transitional support, providers may be forced to divert resources away from frontline support to meet compliance demands, undermining the very standards the act seeks to strengthen.”

Other recommendations included ensuring national consistency, avoiding “cost-cutting incentives” and mitigating the risk of increased homelessness following implementation of the act.

The report said: “A persistent concern raised by residents and staff is what happens if schemes fail to secure a licence. 

“Without clear national and local contingency arrangements, there is a real risk of residents being displaced from vital supported accommodation if a scheme’s licence application is rejected.”

Emmaus co-produced the report with residents with lived experience of homelessness.

Ms Barker, who is also co-chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for Ending Homelessness, said: “One of the virtues of the report is the chance it gives to tenants to stress that supported housing is about more than just shelter – vital though that is – and I strongly agree with the call by Emmaus for government guidance to clarify that support should mean purposeful activities like training, education and work experience, as well as being part of a community.”

She also told attendees that it would be a “tragedy if the introduction of this act unintentionally... left anyone homeless”.

“That’s why I believe it’s important that there is flexibility, so that there’s not a hard advance on two-year limits to transitional accommodation,” Ms Barker added.

Charlotte Talbott, chief executive of Emmaus UK, said: “Peer-led by Emmaus residents, this report gives a powerful voice to the people who know supported housing best, and makes clear that the act is a positive force for driving up standards – but that improvements are still needed to protect both residents and providers.

“We urge the government to take on board our research about the positive impact of community, purpose and flexibility of stay in supported housing, and why these should be an essential part of the new national standards.

“Funding is also a critical issue: with no additional resource announced for providers, the act risks placing new burdens on an already struggling sector.”