Birmingham’s neighbourhoods are under increasing pressure from poorly regulated housing schemes — and the problem is getting worse.
Exempt Accommodation (EA) is a form of supported housing that is currently exempt from the normal planning rules, licensing requirements, and public consultation that apply to Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs). This loophole means properties can be converted into high-density EA without residents having any say — even in quiet family streets near schools.
While supported housing has an important role to play, Birmingham now has 50% more EA places than are needed locally. The result?
- Over-concentration of poorly managed properties in certain areas
- Disruption to established communities
- Risks to vulnerable residents from inconsistent support standards
- Millions of pounds of public money spent with minimal accountability
- No independent checks on whether a location is suitable
Now, dispersed asylum accommodation — hotels and houses used to house asylum seekers across the city — is adding further strain. Communities already coping with an oversupply of EA are seeing even more transient placements, with little consultation, integration, or safeguards. This is breaking up community cohesion and placing extra pressure on local services.
What We’ve Done So Far
Birmingham Local Conservatives have been leading the fight to bring Exempt Accommodation into the planning system:
- Led the campaign against more Exempt Accommodation in the City.
- Secured debates on stopping the growth of exempt accommodation at Council meetings.
- Cllr Robert Alden raised the issue directly with Ministers, urging rapid reform to protect communities.
- Raised concerns and our plan for stopping exempt accommodation at meetings of the Local Government Association (LGA) and secured support from the LGA Conservative Group for Exempt Accommodation to require planning permission.
- Called on the Council to use powers in Bob Blackman's Exempt Accommodation bill to create a licensing scheme across the city, and on the Government to fully implement.
- Surveyed residents' views on Exempt Accommodation to ensure our policy was in line with residents' desires
Despite these calls, the Government’s current timetable could see no real change for years — far too slow for the communities already suffering today.
What Needs to Happen
We are calling for:
- Immediate inclusion of Exempt Accommodation in the planning system — so residents have a say and councils can refuse unsuitable conversions.
- Once it is within the planning system introduce an article 4 directive stopping its growth in the city.
- Stronger regulation to ensure only providers meeting proper standards can access public funds.
- Clear enforcement powers for councils to act against bad landlords.
- Start using the Council's contracts and work with partners and landlords to stop the growth in family housings being converted.
