Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State at the MHCLG Visits ACH to Learn About Their Refugee Integration and Housing Solutions

Birmingham, [20-02-2025] – Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State at the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG), Rushanara Ali MP, visited ACH, a pioneering social enterprise dedicated to providing supported housing and promoting the social and economic integration of refugees and migrants. The visit provided an opportunity to witness firsthand the impactful work being done to support and empower individuals rebuilding their lives in the UK.

This follows ACH Birmingham’s recent achievement of the Supported Exempt Accommodation Quality Standards (SEAQS) Gold Status in 2024, awarded by the Birmingham Voluntary Service Council (BVSC) in collaboration with Birmingham City Council. This prestigious recognition is reserved for exempt accommodation providers that exceed the highest standards in delivering high-quality services to vulnerable tenants in the region.

Accompanied by ACH Chief Executive Officer, Fuad Mahamed, ACH Chair, Museji Takolia, Councillor Jayne Francis, Cabinet Member for Housing and Homelessness, Collette Campbell, Acting Strategic Lead for Supported Housing (Exempt), Guy Chaundy, Assistant Director of Housing both at Birmingham City Council, and several ACH colleagues, the Minister was given an in-depth tour of ACH’s Birmingham office. She engaged with residents, learners, and staff to gain deeper insights into the organisation’s comprehensive integration services.

During discussions, ACH CEO Fuad Mahamed emphasised the crucial role of supported housing in enabling refugee integration, preventing homelessness, and increasing access to employment opportunities. He highlighted ACH’s strength as a diverse, lived-and-learned experience-led organisation, which plays a significant role in achieving successful outcomes for its clients. He added that “secure housing is a fundamental stepping stone in breaking the cycle of homelessness and ensuring long-term stability for refugees and migrants”.

The Minister had the opportunity to meet with several individuals who have benefited from ACH’s training subsidiary, Himilo, through English language and digital skills programs, as well as ACH tenants who have avoided homelessness after arriving in the UK. The clients shared their personal journeys and described how ACH has supported them through housing, skills development, business support, essential registrations, and overall well-being.

Taking time to personally connect with residents, learners and staff, the Minister described the visit as a meaningful experience. She commended the ACH team for their exceptional work in providing critical support and expressed gratitude for their dedication, as well as to the clients for sharing their personal stories.

Cllr Jayne Francis, Cabinet Member for Housing and Homelessness, also shared her perspective on the challenges within the sector, stating: “Conditions for some tenants in exempt accommodation are not good, and they are not getting the support they need. We need to find a way within the current framework to ensure providers transition from bad conditions to the good standards we see here at ACH. I believe licensing can help achieve this, but to truly elevate all providers to ACH’s level, and give Councils greater control over the rate of unneeded growth in some areas of the city, additional funding and regulatory support will be crucial.”

While the visit was focused on ACH’s Birmingham office, the organisation founded in 2008, also operates in Bristol, Wolverhampton, and Coventry, providing a robust framework of supported housing, educational programs, and entrepreneurship support to help refugees and migrants thrive.

“It was an honour to welcome the Minister to our Birmingham office,” said Fuad Mahamed. “This visit allowed us to showcase not only our services but also the significant, tangible impact of our work, as reflected in the successes of our learners and residents. We remain committed to working closely with Birmingham City Council and our partners to continuously improve our services, ensuring we maintain the gold standard of support for those who need it most. We are grateful for the ongoing support of Birmingham City Council and our colleagues at MHCLG, which allows us to make a greater impact in the lives of refugees and migrants.”

About ACH

ACH is a leading social enterprise dedicated to providing supported housing and integration services for refugees and migrants in the UK. With offices in Bristol, Birmingham, Wolverhampton, and Coventry, and services extending to Solihull, ACH delivers holistic support that empowers individuals to build stable, independent, and fulfilling lives. Through housing, training, business support, employment support, and personal development programs, ACH fosters long-term integration and self-sufficiency for its valued clients.

For media inquiries, please contact: Christy Kalu {christy.kalu@ach.org.uk} or {marketing@ach.org.uk}