‘Unpopular’ groups are being excluded.

Housing associations are “covertly excluding some vulnerable
groups” as part of their policies, the Audit Commission has
revealed.

Supporting People inspection co-ordinator Domini Gunn said: “There
is evidence of unpopular groups, such as ex-offenders, young people
with chaotic lifestyles, being excluded from housing associations.
If this is an emerging practice we need to do something about it,”
she said.

The findings were highlighted by research into Supporting
People.

Other findings included lack of shared understanding and engagement
between organisations, with the voluntary sector and specialist
providers feeling like “poor relations”, Gunn said.