‘Everyone struggled’: life in UK’s unregulated supported housing

With criminals suspected of cashing in on such accommodation, one ex-tenant says they are a money grab'

• UK crime gangs rake in millions through supported housing, say police

When Mark*, 32, first moved into supported accommodation in Birmingham, other tenants would steal his plates and cutlery from the kitchen, and people would knock on his door daily asking for drugs.

There was no support. Someone would come in but they did nothing. They didn't go into your cupboard and say you've got nothing in here, we should help you'," he said. I was suicidal at that time, I had a lot going on in my life."