Last checked 15 October 2026
Regulation tracker
The dates that shaped supported exempt accommodation, and the ones still to come. We update this page when the government publishes something new.
- Housing Benefit
Exempt accommodation gets its name
New limits on Housing Benefit for private rents are introduced. Not-for-profit supported housing is exempted, which is where the term comes from.
- Evidence
DWP research on exempt and supported accommodation
Research Report 714 looks at how Housing Benefit is worked out in supported housing, as spending rises in many councils.
Read RR714 - Housing Benefit
Specified accommodation defined
Regulations set out four categories of supported housing that stay on Housing Benefit when people move to Universal Credit.
The four categories - Regulation
Pilots and the National Statement of Expectations
Pilots start in Birmingham, Blackburn with Darwen, Blackpool, Bristol and Hull, running to September 2021. The government publishes a national statement of expectations for supported housing.
- Housing Benefit
Shared accommodation rate exemption for care leavers extended to 25
Care leavers under 25 can claim the one-bedroom Local Housing Allowance rate instead of the shared rate.
- Children
Unregulated placements for under-16s banned
Children in care under 16 can no longer be placed in unregulated accommodation.
- Regulation
Supported Housing Improvement Programme
A £20 million programme funds 27 councils from 2022 to 2025, with a further £8 million extending it to 31 March 2026.
- Evidence
Select committee report on exempt accommodation
The Levelling Up, Housing and Communities Committee calls for urgent reform and better data.
Committee report - Evidence
London Assembly report
The Housing Committee finds about 17,100 households in exempt accommodation across 22 boroughs and at least £107 million of spending in a year.
- Evidence
National Audit Office investigation
The NAO finds gaps in regulation, no direct regulation of support quality and poor data on the sector.
- Regulation
Supported Housing (Regulatory Oversight) Act 2023
The Act receives Royal Assent, creating powers for national standards, licensing, local strategies and Housing Benefit changes.
Licensing guide - Children
Ofsted registration for 16 and 17 year olds
Supported accommodation for looked-after 16 and 17 year olds and care leavers must be registered with Ofsted.
Care leavers guide - Evidence
Supported Housing Review 2023 published
The review estimates about 634,000 units of supported housing across Great Britain, with 215,770 specified accommodation claims.
- Regulation
Consultation on licensing and standards
MHCLG and DWP consult on national supported housing standards, licensing, exemptions and Housing Benefit changes.
- Property
Awaab's Law phase one
Social landlords must deal with emergency hazards and significant damp and mould within fixed timescales.
- Regulation
Government response on licensing
Licensing will mirror the Act's definition of supported exempt accommodation, with no licence per scheme, a wider fit and proper test and needs assessments within four weeks. Updated 19 June 2026.
What was decided - Tenancy law
Renters' Rights Act tenancy reforms start
Private assured tenancies become periodic and section 21 ends. New supported accommodation possession grounds come into force.
Renters' Rights Act guide - RegulationIn progress
Draft licensing regulations
The government plans to consult on draft licensing regulations and guidance, alongside Housing Benefit changes.
- RegulationExpected
First supported housing strategies
The current planned deadline for councils to publish their first supported housing strategies.
- RegulationExpected
Licensing expected to start
Councils are expected to begin licensing supported exempt accommodation. Some Renters' Rights Act grounds become available to registered providers.
SEA Audit
Be ready before your council's licensing scheme opens
SEA Audit reviews support files, Housing Benefit evidence, safeguarding and property standards against the incoming national standards, then gives you a plain-English action plan.