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Overview
1. Since August 2022 specific local authorities in England have carried out more frequent and thorough inspections of HB “exempt accommodation” under the Supported Housing Improvement Programme (SHIP).
2. Birmingham, Blackburn with Darwen, Blackpool and Hull councils received over £6 million from the DLUHC’s £20m three-year Supported Housing Improvement Programme. This first allocation of funds was announced on 3 August 2022.1Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, Press Release, £6 million funding to improve housing and support for vulnerable tenants, 3 Aug 2022
3. Other councils were also invited to bid for money from this fund. The Supported Housing Improvement Programme Prospectus was issued on 2 July 2022.2Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities, 2 July 2022, Supported Housing Improvement Programme prospectus The deadline to submit bids was 2 September 2022.
4. The expression of interest form that accompanied the prospectus can be downloaded here.
| Local authority funding awards announced on 3 August 2022 | amount to end of March 2025 |
| Birmingham City Council | £3,190,000 |
| Blackpool Council | £987,000 |
| Hull City Council | £1,473,000 |
| Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council | £946,000 |
| Local authority funding awards announced on 12 November 2022 | |
| City of Bradford Metropolitan District Council | £1,222,862 |
| Coventry City Council | £319,334 |
| Derby City Council | £537,267 |
| Derbyshire Dales District Council | £687,230 |
| Doncaster Council | £734,897 |
| Durham County Council | £578,795 |
| Gateshead Council | £574,096 |
| Gloucester City Council | £673,018 |
| Kirklees Council | £780,200 |
| Lancaster City Council | £627,299 |
| Leeds City Council | £1,217,165 |
| Mansfield District Council | £405,474 |
| Medway Council | £476,848 |
| Nottingham City Council | £872,419 |
| Plymouth City Council | £500,111 |
| St Helens Borough Council | £286,224 |
| Stockport Metropolitan Borough Council | £484,695 |
| City of Stoke on Trent Council | £958,824 |
| Sunderland City Council | £478,804 |
| Walsall Metropolitan Borough Council | £284,300 |
| West Devon Borough Council | £300,815 |
| City of Wolverhampton Council | £555,250 |
| Total funding awards3‘Supported Housing Improvement Programme: List of Funding Awards to Local Authorities’ (GOV.UK), accessed 22 August 2023 | £20,151,927 |
The Future of SHIP funding (September 2024)
5. In a Parliamentary debate on 10th September 2024 speakers collectively expressed significant concerns about the impending funding gap and potential loss of skilled council staff due to that gap. SHIP funding is set to end in March 2025, ahead of the commencement of new burdens funding under upcoming legislation. They highlighted the crucial role SHIP has played in enabling councils to inspect properties, enforce standards, reclaim overpaid housing benefits, and address safety and community issues associated with poor-quality supported housing.4HC Deb, 10 September 2024, c288WH> accessed 17 September 2024
Key points made included:
- SHIP has been instrumental in improving supported housing standards. Continuation of this funding is essential to maintain progress and retain skilled council staff who are critical in enforcement and oversight roles.
- There is an urgent need for clear operating guidelines, regulations, and national support standards to empower councils to enforce minimum standards of care, support, and supervision effectively.
- The government is urged to ensure that there is no gap between SHIP funding ending and new burdens funding beginning. This continuity is necessary to prevent the loss of experienced staff and to sustain the momentum in addressing the issues in the supported housing sector.
6. Preet Kaur Gill MP reinforced the last point in these terms:5HC Deb, 10 September 2024, c288WH> accessed 17 September 2024
“With funding due to end in March 2025, a gap in funding between SHIP funding and new burdens funding for the Act could mean that many councils have to let go of skilled staff members”.
7. The overall sentiment was one of urgency and a strong call to action for the government to continue SHIP funding, implement necessary regulations, and provide councils with the resources they need to protect vulnerable residents and improve the supported housing sector.
Martin Ward and Philip Parnham 17 September 2024
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