Birmingham, January 14, 2026 – A Labor councillor is facing questions about his residency and financial interests after an examination revealed his wife owns a property operating as supported exempt accommodation-a type of housing he recently publicly criticized.
Councillor’s Housing Raises Conflict of Interest Concerns
A Birmingham city councillor’s call for stricter regulation of supported living properties is under scrutiny following the revelation that his wife owns one in the Hall Green North ward.
- Akhlaq Ahmed, a Labour councillor, has been difficult for constituents to reach.
- His wife owns a property registered as supported exempt accommodation in Birmingham.
- Ahmed recently petitioned the council to reject a similar property development in his ward.
- The property is managed by a firm linked to a controversial former housing provider.
What is supported exempt accommodation and why is it controversial? These properties provide housing for individuals wiht specific needs, like those recovering from addiction or experiencing homelessness, and can charge higher rents covered by housing benefit. Concerns have been raised about exploitation and poor living conditions within the sector.
Constituents of Hall Green North have expressed frustration with Akhlaq Ahmed’s lack of responsiveness.Attempts to reach him at his monthly advice surgery in December were unsuccessful, as was a visit to his home, which was found to be a rental property. Further investigation revealed the Allcroft Road property is a supported exempt accommodation house in multiple occupation (HMO).
The discovery is particularly noteworthy given Ahmed’s recent public stance against such developments.On December 2, he presented a petition to the Birmingham City Council, urging them to reject a proposal to convert a family home on Sarehole Road into a supported exempt HMO. Addressing the council, he stated, “Residents have told
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14/1/2026 – correction: an earlier version of this edition said the NHS training scheme for overseas doctors was axed this week. It was axed last week and this has been corrected.
