The Public Accounts Committee has today launched a new report on supported housing. The findings of the report are concerning, highlighting the government’s lack of reliable data on the sector and crucially that the supply of supported housing is not meeting demand, meaning vulnerable people do not always get the homes or support that they need.

Read the full report – Public Accounts Committee Supported Housing report

In response to the report released today, Golden Lane Housing Chief Executive, John Verge said,

“We welcome the Public Account Committee’s Report on Supported Housing which Golden Lane Housing contributed to the consultation. It is good to see the acknowledgment that government needs to improve data on demand and supply. A critical recommendation is to maximise the provision of supported housing through the Affordable Homes Programme which is currently projected to deliver only half the intended homes. Proportionate new regulation of supported housing from the new Act is certainly needed to address the concerns raised in parts of the sector and we agree with the Committee that the fees for new local licensing schemes need to be appropriate to support, rather than deter, quality provision. Ultimately, we need an adequately funded supported housing sector to support these recommendations.”  

Earlier in the year, Golden Lane Housing as part of the Learning Disability and Autism Housing network launched its own research into the supported housing need for people with a learning disability. Compiled by Housing LIN, the report provides the most up to date information on the size, scope, cost, supply and importantly future need of supported housing in England.

Read the report in full ‘A Lifeline for Independence: Supported housing for people with a learning disabilities and autistic people in England.’