Written evidence submitted by Anonymous [EXA 003]

The issue of Exempt Accommodation is of overwhelming importance to rough sleepers; it is a scam of breathtaking proportions, and we are extremely grateful that someone is looking into it, as its existence is a major reason why rough sleepers turn down offers of accommodation and stay homeless.

There is an absolute omerta on this subject from the major homeless charities, who many of us regard as fundamentally criminal organisations who are raking it in from this and other sources. The sector is awash with funds, and it is in nobody's interest to end homelessness. We regard exempt accommodation as people farming.

As you will know, the lowest average rent for exempt accommodation is about £300/week, but I would be very interested in finding out the national totals for exempt accommodation per week and the number of people who are covered by this scheme: from that one can find out the average rent. Also who the major recipients are, particularly the homeless charities like St Mungos, Salvation Army, Thamesreach, and other major landlords. I hope that you will get the figures from the civil service: from bitter experience, most homeless people believe very little of what homeless charities say to them.

As you will know, exempt accommodation is made available to people who supposedly have a drug, alcohol or mental health problem (I suspect that many so categorised have no such problems, but as these categories are not well defined anyone can be fitted in) You will also know that the landlord is supposed to offer care, support or supervision, which is likewise legally undefined, and often consists of very little.

It is also true that even non exempt accommodation has almost caught up with the level of exempt accommodation, so it is hard to sometimes be sure which is which. I'm thinking of a friend who is paying £300/week rent, and in his online journal for benefit there is an email of the Job Centre writing to St Mungos and asking why they are charging such an extortionate rent, and St Mungos replying and saying that it is a market rent. It locks people into an impossible situation if they want to find work, as in practice, they can't afford to pay the rent if they get work but if they turn down work offers they are sanctioned. This is why we all regard outreach workers with such contempt and do anything to try to find ways into accommodation which do not involve them.

I have heard on many occasions that homeless charities and individual outreach workers are paid bonuses on top of their salaries for each conversation with a rough sleeper, for each referral, for people moving into accommodation. My understanding is that this money comes from central or local government. Could you confirm this for me, and give me amounts for each type of interaction and also national figures and per charity? (Please do not ask the homeless charities for this information; surely if it is paid by government, there must be records.) This (and other reasons) is probably why when outreach workers approach us, you can practically see the pound signs in their eyes.

January 2022