What is Exempt Accommodation?
Exempt Accommodation is currently a non-commissioned and un-regulated type of supported housing. Registered Providers oversee the accommodation and although they can own the properties, they are largely leased from other owners.
The Registered Providers are then responsible for looking after the property and its tenants by providing Support and Care, however in most circumstances they employ a Managing Agent to do this.
The people who are entitled to Exempt Accommodation must apply for and get “enhanced housing benefit,” which in turn is then paid directly to the Registered Provider and not the tenant (monies come from the DWP, via the Local Councils).
Exempt Accommodation is often used as a means of housing those with no other housing option, for example, prison leavers, the homeless, refugees, people with strong addictions (e.g., alcohol and drugs), victims of domestic violence, people with severe disabilities etc.
As part of the enhanced benefit payment received, the Registered Providers are supposed to provide “Support and Care” to its tenants, however this only has to be “more than minimal” to meet current regulations. There is no clear definition of this statement in ruling, and it is therefore open to interpretation and exploitation however it must be shown that the “Support and Care” is provided and not just made available.
The aims of the Community Safety Exempt Accommodation Team are to:
- improve the safety of those who live in and around Exempt Accommodation, improving the quality of home life for all.
- improve the quality and standard of Exempt Accommodation in Birmingham to ensure residents are safeguarded and to effectively build their capability and independence.
- improve the future service and regulation of the sector.
How this is achieved:
The Exempt Accommodation Team, work in a multi-disciplinary way with several partners (both internal and external) including, Supported Housing, Adult Social Care, Revenue & Benefits, Planning and Enforcement, Department of Work and Pensions (DWP), West Midlands Police and Fire, Probation Services, Registered Providers, Managing Agents, Support Workers, and Councillors.
As part of this multi-agency approach, we investigate and support an intelligence and information led analysis of crime and anti-social behaviour within the Exempt Accommodation sector. Through chairing and managing twice weekly Operational Tasking Meetings, issues and concerns identified with addresses, registered providers or managing agents are raised and then an agreed course of action is determined.
The team are allocated cases to investigate where there is a suggestion of either crime and or anti-social behaviour and can include concerns such as, drugs, prostitution, large social gatherings, modern day slavery and crime.
Currently the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC) provide funding to investigate and oversee Exempt Accommodation within Birmingham.
The role of the Community Safety Exempt Accommodation Team in this multi-agency approach:
The team currently consists of one manager and three investigators, each of which covers two Local Community Safety Partnerships (LCSPs) with the manager having an oversight.
The team produce reports from their investigations and offer recommendations to the agencies that they collaborate with. They share the information where it is felt necessary to do so; this may include sharing with the Housing Regulator.
Working closely with the Registered Providers and Managing Agencies across Birmingham, the team offer advice and expertise to contribute towards improving the service offered to tenants and quality of life for the local communities and utilise enforcement powers, such as Community Protection Warnings and Closure Orders.