Committees

Levelling-Up Committee examines proposed Exempt Accommodation legislation

8 November 2022

On Wednesday 9 November, the Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (LUHC) Committee will undertake pre-legislative scrutiny of a Private Members' Bill, the Supported Housing (Regulatory Oversight) Bill, which has been tabled by one of its members, Bob Blackman MP (Conservative Member for Harrow East).

The bill gives local authorities new powers to drive out poor practice in supported exempt housing. It also creates new strategic duties for national and local government to improve wider oversight of supported housing provision.

Bob Blackman’s bill has been drafted in collaboration with Crisis and Justin Bates of Landmark Chambers .

Purpose of the session

In the first evidence session of the LUHC Committee’s pre-legislative scrutiny work it will question Justin Bates of Landmark Chambers on the drafting of the bill and the need for legislation to address this issue. The evidence session will examine issues related to the bill, including how legislation could help to improve the lives of vulnerable people living in this type of supported housing and also improve the lived experiences of neighbours.

The Committee will hold a further evidence session on Wednesday 16 November, when it will hear the views of local authorities, exempt accommodation landlords and charity bodies, including Crisis, on the proposed legislation.

The Supported Housing (Regulatory Oversight) Bill is due to receive its Second Reading in the House of Commons on 18 November.

In the separate, but related, LUHC Committee inquiry on exempt accommodation, the Committee’s report (published on 27 October) found that the current system of exempt accommodation, a type of supported housing that is used to house a range of people with support needs, is a ‘complete mess’ that is failing too many residents and local communities at the expense of the taxpayer (see news item).

Witnesses

Wednesday 9 November, Committee Room 8, Palace of Westminster

From 10am

  • Justin Bates, barrister, Landmark Chambers (giving evidence virtually)

Further information

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