10th March 2026
John Verge, Chief Executive of Golden Lane Housing, has been appointed to the government’s new Supported Housing Advisory Panel, established under the Supported Housing (Regulatory Oversight) Act 2023.
The panel, formally established on 12 February 2026, will play a key role in advising government on supported housing and supported exempt accommodation.
Chaired by Sir David Pearson, the panel brings together experts from across housing, care and support to provide insight, guidance and advice to government. Its work will help inform the implementation of the Supported Housing (Regulatory Oversight) Act and address current and emerging issues within the supported housing sector.
John’s appointment reflects his leadership and extensive experience in supported housing having dedicated over 30 years to social housing, with more than 25 years focused on supported housing for people with a learning disability and autistic people.
Since joining Golden Lane Housing (GLH) in 2000 and becoming Chief Executive in 2018, John has led the organisation in enabling thousands of people to access homes that meet their needs, helping many move out of long-term NHS hospital and residential care settings into independent, supported homes and successfully raising millions of pounds in grant funding and private finance to scale GLH’s services, setting a national benchmark for sustainability and quality in supported housing.
In response to his appointment to the Panel, John said: “I’m really delighted that the Supported Housing Advisory Panel was formally announced via a Written Ministerial Statement yesterday. I’m honoured to be a member of the panel chaired by Sir David Pearson. Supported housing plays a vital role in enabling people to live safely and independently in their communities. I look forward to contributing to the panel’s work as the new regulatory framework develops.”
About the Supported Housing Advisory Panel
The Supported Housing Advisory Panel has been established by government as part of the implementation of the Supported Housing (Regulatory Oversight) Act 2023, which received Royal Assent on 29 June 2023. The panel’s role is to provide expert advice and insight to government on supported housing and supported exempt accommodation, including supporting the implementation of the Act and identifying emerging issues affecting the sector.
The Chair will regularly review the panel’s effectiveness and the performance of its members to ensure it continues to deliver meaningful impact.
Panel members have been appointed for five-year terms.
For more information about the Panel visit https://www.gov.uk/government/groups/supported-housing-advisory-panel.