Advice has been made available to housing providers detailing the Government’s expectation for supported accommodation standards
St Mungo’s has welcomed the publication of the new National Statement of Expectations (NSE) by Government today (20 October).
The guidance, which has been developed collaboratively between the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) and the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) sets out what it expects to see in standards, quality and value for money in supported housing and how this can be achieved by bringing together best practice across the sector.
Reacting to the news, St Mungo’s Chief Executive Steve Douglas CBE said: “This is welcome news. It recognises that good quality, supported housing is crucial to ensuring our clients continue to be supported to live independently in a safe environment where they have access to everything they need. We will continue to work with both MHCLG and DWP, as well as local authorities and our partners in the sector to ensure we can provide secure, stable and supportive accommodation.
“The positive impact that good quality and properly resourced accommodation of this kind makes cannot be underestimated. It allows us to support our most vulnerable clients who often have complex needs. And we see every day the difference it can make to people’s lives.
“It was also good see some great examples of projects that work, including our own supported housing scheme in West London Hope Gardens highlighted in the Government’s best practice guide, also published today.”
The Government also announced £3m to fund pilot schemes to help to improve supported housing focusing on short term provision.
The pilots will run in five areas, including Bristol – where St Mungo’s is a key provider of vital homelessness and rough sleeping services – with the other areas being Birmingham, Hull, Blackpool and Blackburn; and will run until the end of March 2021.
Mr Douglas continued: “Our teams in Bristol work closely with the council and our partners there to help find long term solutions to homelessness and support people who are rough sleeping and we look forward working with them in the future, and following how this trial progresses.”
