Hall Green Residents Demand Action Over Supported Housing Chaos
Terrified neighbours in Hall Green have expressed their desperation to see a property housing troubled individuals on their family-friendly street closed down, following reports of escalating chaos, fights, and violence. The situation reached a critical point on Monday, January 20, when a woman was observed armed with a long knife, prowling along Tetley Road during the morning school run and commute to work. In a related incident, the rear window of a neighbour's car was smashed, with residents capturing the scenes on phone videos as part of efforts to gather evidence for the local council.
Police Intervention and Community Concerns
West Midlands Police later swooped on a house in the street, arresting a 26-year-old woman on suspicion of possession of a knife, criminal damage, and assaulting a police officer. The property at the centre of the controversy had recently been flipped from a family home into shared accommodation for people deemed hard to house, part of a growing trend across Birmingham. Residents say the transformation has rapidly upended the street's harmony, with one 15-year-old teenager reporting she is now very scared after witnessing multiple incidents since tenants moved in eight weeks ago.
The Rise of Exempt Accommodation in Birmingham
This property is one of over 11,000 exempt accommodations operating in the city, housing more than 32,000 individuals. Many tenants have no local connection and are placed here by other agencies or lured via social media ads by managing companies. Hiked housing benefits, sometimes as much as £400 a week per room, are paid by the Department for Work and Pensions via Birmingham City Council, with the promise of additional support for tenants. However, residents and local councillors argue that the necessary supervision is lacking, leading to unsafe conditions.
Resident Testimonies and Frustrations
Speaking out, residents described a sharp decline in their quality of life:
- A long-term resident of over 50 years stated, We have never had issues here until now. People used to fight to get a house on this street, but it's gone quickly downhill.
- A father living opposite the property expressed fears that one exempt property could trigger an exodus of families and more such openings, ruining the community.
- The teenage resident added, I'm often woken up in the middle of the night by screaming and shouting. Cars pull up at all hours, and there's regular swearing and noise spilling into the street.
Political Response and Calls for Regulation
Local councillor Shabina Bano, who represents Small Heath and has ties to the area, highlighted that residents were told to gather evidence themselves before the council would intervene. She emphasised that exempt properties are meant for those with low-level support needs, but some tenants here appear to have major vulnerabilities requiring more oversight. With government plans to better regulate the sector stalled for over two years, Bano is pressing for urgent action amid rising community anger.
West Midlands Police have confirmed they have officers in the area offering reassurance, but residents continue to call for the property's closure, fearing for their safety and the future of their once-peaceful neighbourhood.
