ALL THAT GLISTERS IS NOT GOLD
(Not a typo but an old East End saying)
The Supported Housing Regulatory Oversight Act 2023 gave the Secretary of State power to enforce licensing and standards in supported accommodation. I noticed the effect of this act shortly after I started this role, some providers which we had used to house numerous clients started evicting them and stopped accepting referrals. It was a relief when new providers started offering properties – great I thought, they must have passed through the current regulations, and it will make housing easier.
This is how I came to house Jo-Jo. He was a foreign national with status in the country, following a job loss, he became homeless. He told me of a disused garage he had been using for shelter. We looked at properties and I referred him to a new provider, “Applemo” (fictitious name) who offered accommodation both to those who required supported accommodation and those who could live independently. There were no initial start-up costs either- it seemed too good to be true.
Jo- Jo was was Manna’s first referral to Applemo. The application was successful and he was to move in two days later. He was grateful, he bought me Chocolates and flowers to thank me but was concerned that the rent was rather high for a single room. I spoke to one of the Agents and was assured that Jo-Jo simply needed to apply to the council for assistance.
Four months later Jo- Jo called me to state that he was due to be made homeless. The council had initially refused to pay the rent demanded because, as he had suspected, the rent was too high. When he notified Applemo of this, they issued him with a new agreement, the rent was significantly lower and the providers had changed from Applemo to Batemo (fictitious name). As he received Universal Credit, requests for help with housing costs and change of the Landlord details would have to be communicated via his online journal. The DWP became suspicious of the latest change, and they investigated and learned that Applemo had no licence to rent out supported accommodation. In trying to contact them it was noticed that Applemo and its website had disappeared. Additionally, Batemo had served him with a notice to quit stating that he owed three months’ rent! He and five other households in his block, all recently accommodated by Applemo, would be evicted soon.
Once again, I interviewed Jo-Jo and looked for alternative accommodation; the DWP had directed him to report Applemo and I seconded this – rent arrears against his name could affect him in the future. I registered him with an organisation, which had a tried and trusted reputation with Manna for finding accommodation and referred him to view another property. Eight days later he was accommodated by our trusted partner, I did not pursue the issue of the arrears but I trust this issue will be resolved soon.