VODG worked with some of our members - both housing associations and care and support providers - to respond to the consultation on Supported Housing Regulations and Housing Benefit.
While we welcome the intention of the regulations and standards outlined in the consultation document, many of the proposals seem to overly complicate a process, aimed at addressing rogue providers. While the regulations are rightly thorough, they are also complex to implement, and would introduce significant administrative burden, increased workload for local authorities and providers, and potentially unfunded costs.
In our response we highlight the need to
- mitigate costs
- protect and secure the future provision of housing with support
- address any skills shortages that might apply within local authorities
- clarify who is best to hold the license, and on what basis a scheme would be defined
- and most importantly, ensure any standards and systems introduced meet the complex and often varying needs of people who access supported housing.