A stabbing incident on a family street in North Edgbaston has intensified calls for urgent action from Birmingham City Council and the Government to address issues linked to ‘exempt’ housing. These properties provide shared accommodation for vulnerable individuals such as those with mental health or learning disabilities, care leavers, homeless people, ex-prisoners, and those recovering from addiction.
North Edgbaston has become the city’s most saturated area for these supported exempt properties, with nearly 600 homes transformed to house approximately 1,839 tenants-a figure that has surged over the past three years, surpassing other areas such as Stockland Green, Sparkbrook, and Aston.
Last week, a resident on Selsey Road was stabbed three times while attempting to disarm a tenant who was brandishing a knife in broad daylight. Councillor Marcus Bernasconi, Labour representative for the area, expressed shock at the incident, describing the victim as a longstanding family man of 16 years who was protecting his community amid chaos linked to the property. The resident has since been discharged from hospital and is recovering.
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Cllr Bernasconi criticised the failure to address prior warning signs regarding the behaviour of the knife-wielding tenant, including reports of vandalism such as damaged car windows and mirrors. Police are currently investigating the disorder that culminated in the stabbing.
Further inquiries revealed that an application for the property to be eligible for exempt tenants was initially rejected in July, yet tenants were accommodated pending a new application now under consideration. The councillor is urging the council to refuse this application on the grounds that appropriate support, care, and supervision for residents are lacking.
Despite the violent incident, the tenant involved remains at the property. Cllr Bernasconi expressed disbelief that the landlord is retaining the individual nearby the victim, speculating that maintaining the tenant’s address may facilitate claims for enhanced housing benefit. Exempt landlords typically receive between £200 and £400 weekly per tenant in Birmingham.
The councillor also highlighted escalating reports of antisocial behaviour in the area, including public indecency, drug dealing, and properties being used for prostitution. He stated, “It’s become a fact of life for some residents to encounter increased disorder, dumped rubbish, and risks associated with poorly managed properties.”
Cllr Bernasconi emphasised the connection between these challenges and the current housing benefits system, calling for systematic reform. He cited an audit report commissioned earlier in the year, urging decisive action irrespective of political leadership to alleviate the issue. Residents feel powerless, while new claims are routinely approved, compounding community suffering.
New legislation passed in 2023 aims to regulate exempt housing more strictly through licensing and enforcement measures, scheduled for implementation next year following prolonged lobbying. However, concerns remain as the bill has been diluted amid industry pushback, and property numbers continue to rise.
“The recent stabbing is, unfortunately, a common occurrence where exempt properties are poorly managed,” said Cllr Bernasconi. “Individuals with serious vulnerabilities are often housed together without adequate support, leading to deteriorating behaviour and sometimes violence. Immediate action is necessary.”
West Midlands Police confirmed the incident, stating: “We were called to Selsey Road on 6 September following a disorder involving a group in the street. Two men were arrested for offences including wounding and making threats with a knife, and a man was hospitalised with non-life-threatening arm injuries.”