West Midlands Launches Pilot Scheme to Support Young People in Supported Accommodation Into Work

The West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) has initiated a groundbreaking pilot scheme with a focus on assisting young individuals residing in supported accommodation to secure employment and achieve greater independence in the West Midlands.

The WMCA has successfully secured £4.5 million in funding from the Government through the region’s pioneering deeper devolution deal, positioning the area as the inaugural location in the UK to trial a simplified benefits system.

Under this innovative scheme, individuals aged 18 to 24 living in commissioned supported housing will contribute a portion of their rent and eligible service charges from their earned income, with the remaining amount supplemented through a grant payment.

This pilot program aims to eliminate the necessity for young people to navigate multiple benefit systems while pursuing employment, thereby mitigating the potential risk of losing their job or home in the process.

According to statistics, 8.4 per cent of 18-24-year-olds in the region, totaling 24,000 individuals, are currently claiming unemployment-related benefits, surpassing the national average of 4.9 per cent.

The challenges faced by young individuals in supported housing stem from the existing benefits regulations, where exceeding a certain income threshold results in a reduction of Housing Benefit entitlement, thus requiring higher contributions towards rent from their earnings.

Andy Street, the Mayor of the West Midlands and WMCA chair, expressed the desire to witness every young person in the region secure a stable job and a safe living environment, highlighting the profound impact of youth unemployment on long-term outcomes.

Mims Davies MP, the Minister for Disabled People, Health, and Work, emphasized the government’s commitment to providing tailored support through initiatives like the £2.5 billion Back to Work Plan, designed to help individuals access employment opportunities.

Councillor Kerrie Carmichael, WMCA’s portfolio lead for inclusive communities and leader of Sandwell Council, underscored the significance of commissioned supported housing in facilitating the transition to employment and financial autonomy for young people.

Councillor David Welsh, chair of WMCA’s Homelessness Taskforce Members’ Advisory Group and Coventry City Council‘s cabinet member for housing and communities, highlighted the pilot program’s objective of enabling young individuals in supported accommodation to overcome barriers to employment and unlock their full potential.