Supported exempt accommodation(SEA) is housing where vulnerable adults are supported to live independently.

It could be accommodation for: -

• people who are homeless
• people recently released from prison
• survivors of domestic abuse
• people with substance dependencies
• people with mental health issues
• refugees

SEAs are exempt from the usual Housing Benefit rules, which place an upper limit (cap) on the amount of benefit people can claim.

Housing Benefit rules decide if a property is supported exempt accommodation and are provided by various providers.

Currently, there is no licensing for this type of accommodation and therefore no robust controls in Harborne and the wider city.

A provider has to offer a low level of support, perhaps an hour's care or support a week to justify significantly increased housing benefit payments. 

Many concerns have been raised by elected members, local residents and the police about this accommodation. The concerns relate to: -

• Generally a lack of support for residents of this accommodation
• Changing the character of family-friendly neighbourhoods
• Significant increase in crime and anti-social behaviour in neighbourhoods with high concentrations of SEAs. 

By signing this petition, you are lending your support to the campaign for tight controls over SEAs and adequate support for their residents. This could involve the introduction of a licensing system, similar to HMOs.