Supported Housing (NRSA)Last reviewed: 2026-10-25
NRSA & Supported Exempt Accommodation
Guidance on non-regulated supported accommodation (NRSA), also called exempt or specified accommodation — the law today, the proposed supported housing licensing regime, housing benefit rules and quality assurance.
Update 22 October 2026: draft regulations are out for consultation until 10 December 2026. These are proposals, not law. Supported housing licensing is not in force yet. Read the consultation on GOV.UK
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is NRSA and who does it apply to?
NRSA stands for non-regulated supported accommodation: housing with care, support or supervision that is not registered with CQC or Ofsted, often funded through housing benefit as exempt or specified accommodation. It is not a regulator or a national scheme. The Supported Housing (Regulatory Oversight) Act 2023 allows councils to license these services, but licensing is not yet in force; draft regulations were put out for consultation from 15 October to 10 December 2026.
What audits should NRSA providers carry out?
There is no statutory audit list yet. Good practice is to audit against the six draft National Supported Housing Standards (person-centred support, empowerment, safe environment, staff and safeguarding, local need, and statement of purpose), plus the rules that already apply today: housing benefit exempt accommodation, HMO licensing, fire safety and housing health and safety (HHSRS).