Joe Wheeler
Joe brings over a decade of experience in housing benefit and supported accommodation, with particular expertise in specified and specialised housing since 2011. Starting in a small team focused on decision-making around specified accommodation, Joe now leads Bristol City Council’s work on delivering and developing specialised housing models for people with complex needs, including individuals with learning disabilities, autism, mental health conditions, and those experiencing homelessness.
Joe’s current focus is on designing bespoke housing and care solutions that work for individuals, commissioners, and providers — underpinned by effective and compliant use of housing benefit. He is also actively engaged in shaping the compliant Registered Provider market, lobbying for improved access to capital funding, and advocating for an expanded national grant programme to support the delivery of high-quality specialist schemes.
Working closely with partners across Bristol, North Somerset, South Gloucestershire, and the ICB, Joe is helping develop new models that support timely discharge from hospital and residential care, and prevent unnecessary (re)admission. He is committed to breaking down organisational silos and building collaborative, problem-solving partnerships across housing, health, and social care to deliver lasting change.