Alcohol Change UK has provided a response to the Supported Housing regulation consultation.
The Supported Housing (Regulatory Oversight) Act 2023 gives the Secretary of State powers to introduce a licensing regime for supported housing, and the power to set National Supported Housing Standards for England. It places a duty on local housing authorities to produce supported housing strategies to understand current availability and future need for supported housing.
This consultation sought views on how government will implement the measures and inform the drafting of regulations and accompanying guidance.
In our response, we highlighted that:
- People in recovery from alcohol problems and people struggling with their consumption of alcohol must be placed in appropriate accommodation and receive tailored support.
- People need a range of accommodation and may even require a series of accommodation options with changing levels of support as their needs change and develop.
- Appropriate housing must ensure any existing support for health conditions is not disrupted.
- Much can be learned from Alcohol Change UK’s Blue Light approach and from Safeguarding Adult Reviews (SARs).
- Effectively meeting people’s needs will require good partnership working.
