Intended and unintended consequences?
A case study survey of housing associations and welfare reforms
The National Housing Federation has commissioned Ipsos MORI and Cambridge Centre for Housing and Planning Research to assess how welfare reform impacts across the housing association sector in England.
The baseline report was published in late 2012 and this case report builds on that with the results of 15 in depth case study housing associations.
Building Social Capital through Community Timebanking: an interim evaluation of the Cambridgeshire timebanking project
This research is evaluating the development of a timebanking project in Cambridgeshire for Cambridgeshire County Council and the CHS Group. Timebanking is a community scheme which enables local people to exchange skills and support in a structured way around the swapping of units of their time. It can help to build social capital in local communities, but may also have the potential to generate cost savings. The interim report suggests that the time banks are developing successfully, with increasing numbers of members and exchanges. There is evidence of a range of benefits to the members who are involved and evidence of positive soft outcomes. The challenge for the time bank coordinators is to grow the time banks and consider how they may become sustainable long term.
Riverside Housing Group have published the first output from a three year longitudinal study tracking the lives of 20 tenants and exploring how they respond to financial changes and welfare reform. Anna Clarke, from CCHPR, has been supporting the project in an advisory capacity.
There is increasing interest in the role the use of equity release products can play in coping with some of the pressures of an ageing population. This study analyses what we already know about the use of equity release products by older homeowners to identify what might it be valuable to research further.
The scoping study reviews our understanding and knowledge from research on the use (or not, in most cases) of equity release products by older homeowners. It pulls together findings from the existing literature, reviews different data sets and draws on stakeholder discussions to identify what is already known about equity release in later life, what is missing from the current evidence base and the key research questions that need tackling in relation to likely future policy directions.
International review of land supply and planning systems
The Joseph Rowntree Foundation has just published an international review of land supply and planning systems conducted by CCHPR, looking at what works and whether successful mechanisms from other countries could be transferred to the UK context. The review suggests that land supply is a key issue contributing to housing market volatility and problems of housing affordability in the UK.
The private rented sector in the new century – a comparative approach
The Private Rented Sector in the New Century – A Comparative Approach was published in 2012 by the study’s sponsor, Realdania, Denmark. The authors are Christine Whitehead, Sanna Markkanen, Sarah Monk, Kathleen Scanlon and Connie Tang. The study examines the role of regulation in the private rented sector across 11 European countries. This four page summary is now being published on the Cambridge Centre for Housing and Planning Research website.
Impact of welfare reform on housing associations – 2012 Baseline report
The National Housing Federation has commissioned Ipsos MORI and Cambridge Centre for Housing and Planning Research to assess how welfare reform impacts across the housing association sector in England.
The first component of the research programme is to establish baseline data and understand pre-emptive behaviour change before the reforms come into force. This will be a precursor to monitoring impact after April 2013, up to March 2014.
Mapping the number of extra housing units needed for young people
Centrepoint, the youth homeless charity, commissioned CCHPR to undertake this piece of work looking at the requirement for emergency homeless accommodation, supporting housing units, social housing and private rented housing with the use of Housing Benefit across England with a specific focus on the requirements for those aged 16-25.
In 2011 and 2012 CCHPR worked with the Housing Futures Network to explore future directions for housing associations. We are now able to circulate the summary and final reports from that work.
The Private Rented Sector in the New Century - a Comparative Approach
This study examines the role of regulation in the private rented sector across 11 European countries. A key finding is that well-conceived and well-managed regulation can enhance the private rented sector for both tenants and landlords.
Tackling Housing Market Volatility in the UK: A Progress Report
Volatility has plagued the UK housing market for four decades. The JRF Housing Market Taskforce identified ways to create a more sustainable housing market, suggesting credible long-term policy options to avoid extreme house price fluctuation and protect vulnerable households from its effects. One year on, our new paper follows up this work, assessing the Government’s progress in tackling volatility.
Analysis of the private rented sector in Richmond upon Thames and surrounding areas
Richmond Council, together with Richmond Housing Partnership, commissioned this short piece of work to help form the evidence base of their tenancy strategy. This research examined the operation of the private rented sector in Richmond and nearby with a particular focus on the availability of housing for low income groups.
Freedom to succeed: liberating the potential of housing associations
This report for the Housing Futures Network explores both the current context and the future operating environment for housing associations in England. It argues that a transformation in role and function is underway with a number of unresolved tensions, the costs of which will be borne by tenants and associations. It concludes by setting out the case for plurality and greater operational freedom.
Alan Holmans has produced a new report on the Household Projections in England: Their History and Uses. Household projections are an important tool for estimating future housing demand and need and the land supply required if all households are to be adequately housed.
Capturing Planning Gain – The Transition from Section 106 to the Community Infrastructure Levy
The Community Infrastructure Levy came into force in April 2010 (DCLG, 2011a). It allows local authorities in England and Wales to raise funds from developers undertaking new building projects in their area and the money can be used to fund a wide range of infrastructure that is needed as a result of development. This research for the RICS explores the issues arising in the transition to the new system.
Housing in Transition: Understanding the dynamics of tenure change
This is a study of patterns of housing tenure in England and London, looking back at the period 1993 to 2010 and then projecting trends forward to 2025. It also looks at the tenure patterns for low to middle income households and families with children. The study was for the Resolution Foundation and Shelter.
Understanding the second-hand market for shared ownership properties
This report, commissioned by Thames Valley Housing Association and the National Housing Federation explores the operation of the second-hand market for shared ownership properties. It also also examines the practice of ‘staircasing’, whereby a shared owner may purchase additional shares of their home.
The Commission for Rural Communities funded CCHPR to carry out research into rural housing. The project looked specifically at:
The changing levels of rents (both private and social) and the quality and location of available housing
The impact of recent and forthcoming government policies on social and private tenants, including the changes to Housing Benefit and the overall benefit caps
The drivers of migration between rural and urban areas between rural and urban areas
Evaluation of the FirstStop initiative summary report April 2012
A summary of the evaluation so far of the FirstStop initiative has just been published, showing the continued success of the service. It was included as an insert in the 26th April issue of The House parliamentary magazine which is sent to all MP's and Peers.
Older people’s views of service provision in Cambridge
This project was a collaboration led by Dr Gemma Burgess between CCHPR, the Department of Geography and the Office of External Affairs and Communications at the University of Cambridge. A study was conducted on behalf of the Cambridge Older Peoples Reference Group (COPRG) to explore older people’s views of services in the Cambridge area.
The National Housing Federation is working to produce a vision of the sector beyond 2015. As part of this work CCHPR produced a substantial background report drawing together the evidence. This included an appendix on development and funding models. The NHF produced an Executive Summary which is also available here.
Under-occupation and the Housing Benefit Reforms: Four local case studies - Summary
This report and summary were commissioned by the Housing Futures Network in January 2012 looking at the impact of the proposed Housing Benefit reforms for under-occupying social tenants in four local case study areas.
This report was commissioned by the Housing Futures Network as part of the Facing the Future work being carried out by Cambridge Centre for Housing and Planning Research.
This report looks at under-occupation within social housing and explores in detail the implications of the proposed cuts to housing benefit that will affect under-occupiers of working age from April 2013.
A comprehensive information and advice service enabling older people to better plan ahead for their future housing and care needs is a key requirement if Britain is to cope successfully with its ageing society. The evaluation of FirstStop shows how it is helping older people to make difficult decisions about their housing and care.
This project involved conducting a cost benefit analysis of lighting adaptations for the Thomas Pocklington Trust, a charity providing housing, care and support for people with sight loss in the UK. This short publication compares the costs of lighting adaptations to estimates of the costs of falls by elderly people resulting from poor lighting.
Providing the evidence base for local housing demand and need assessments
In the context of uncertainty over the need for an evidence base to support local authority plans for new housing, this report for Shelter presents the findings of research into the views of local authorities and stakeholders as to what might be feasible and useful to help them with their plans.
Evaluation of Enhanced Housing Options Programme: Final report
This project evaluated the implementation, operation and success of the Enhanced Housing Options Trailblazers programmes. These aimed to develop innovative approaches to delivering housing services, extending to wider client groups and linking housing advice to wider advice about a range of issues.
This work was lead by CCHPR, with involvement from Birmingham University (Centre for Urban and Regional Analysis) and Shared Intelligence.
This chapter reviewed the existing literature on the perceived benefits of citizen participation in public services and explored where evidence indicates that citizen involvement may be applied in the context of local regulation to improve regulatory outcomes
Market-pegged social rents & local income distributions
This report assesses the affordability of new higher 'affordable rents' for social housing proposed by the Homes and Communities Agency. It discusses definitions of affordability, and discusses the results of local income and rents modelling, and the interaction with benefit changes.
The Women's Design Service was funded to run a project by London Councils (2008-2011) to set up Women's Design Groups (WDG) across twelve London Boroughs. The aim of the Groups was “to increase community engagement and participation in local and regional planning and policy development”. The remit of the Women's Design Groups was to comment on local and regional (London) major planning applications and policy proposals from a gender perspective, using women's experience of the built environment and to try to remove barriers to women that may be built into new developments. The Women’s Design Service commissioned Dr Gemma Burgess at the University of Cambridge to conduct an evaluation of the Women's Design Groups project.
Domestic violence, assistance for adults without dependent children - Final report
The study explored the extent to which adults without dependent children who have to leave their homes as a result of domestic violence, and who seek housing assistance from a local authority, receive sufficient assistance to ensure they do not have to return to accommodation where they would be at risk of violence.
This report was commissioned by North Herts Housing Partnership to assist them with the development of systems to identify under-occupiers and help them to meet their housing needs and aspirations.
It reports the findings from a survey of tenants as well as analysis of other data sources.
Hidden Needs: Hidden Deprivation and Community Need in Suffolk. A Report to the Suffolk Foundation
Research by CCHPR commissioned by The Suffolk Foundation describes how even in a superficially affluent county like Suffolk, there are areas and families experiencing deprivation.
New Affordable Homes: What, for whom and where have Registered Providers been building between 1989 and 2009?
Using existing data sources, the purpose of this project was to provide a strong evidence base to show what the current provision of affordable housing built over the last 20 years looks like in terms of location, type of housing and size, and whether it is significantly different compared with past provision. The aim was to demonstrate what has been achieved in terms of investment in affordable housing, and to link this with tenant satisfaction.
Opportunities for institutional investment in affordable housing
This report prepared by Peter Williams (CCHPR), Nick Salisbury (Barclays Corporate Real Estate) and Robin Caven (HCA) on behalf of the HCA’s Housing Finance Group offers an assessment of the potential for institutional investment in affordable housing and puts forward suggestions as to how this market might be developed.
Target rents in relation to market levels: 2008/09
This paper evaluates target rents in terms of the restructuring regime objectives by examining to what extent the target rents are employing market logic in their formation to reflect the policy objectives, with a main emphasis on a comparative approach. On the assumption that market rents are currently close to equilibrium, this paper compares target rents to private rents in an attempt to capture the extent to which fairness and affordability are delivered by the target rents.
Comparison of stock, rents and service charges among different types of social landlords: 2008/09
In 2009, Dataspring undertook comparative analyses between these four types of social landlords on stock, rents and service charges. Following that baseline study, this paper updates the analysis and further investigates whether or not substantial differences exist between these landlords. Additional time series analysis has been included to help clarify this.
This report details the findings from Phase 1 of the evaluation of FirstStop, an information and advice service for older people, their families and carers partly funded by the Department of Communities and Local Government.
Under-utilisation of the housing stock: Eight local case studies
This report includes eight local authority case studies into exploring under-utilisation of the existing housing stock. It was commissioned by Shelter to feed into a wider strand of work and examines the issues of empty properties, second homes and under-occupation.
Housing Benefit reform and the spatial segregation of low-income households in London
This working paper analyses in detail how the government's Housing Benefit reforms will affect where in London low-income private tenants will be able to find affordable housing. We show that almost all of inner London will be largely unaffordable by 2016, and that HB claimants are likely to become increasingly concentrated in disadvantaged neighbourhoods.
FirstStop Advice is a service providing information and advice about care and housing options in later life for older people, their families and carers. The Cambridge Centre for Housing and Planning Research at the University of Cambridge is undertaking an independent evaluation of the FirstStop service. This short report discusses some of the emerging findings from the evaluation about older people moving home.
Response to the CLG Select Committee Inquiry on the abolition of regional spatial strategies for the Joseph Rowntree Foundation
The Joseph Rowntree Foundation (JRF) submitted a response to the CLG Committee’s Inquiry into the abolition of regional spatial strategies. This response was drafted on behalf of JRF by Gemma Burgess, Sarah Monk and Christine Whitehead, CCHPR, University of Cambridge, and Alison Bailey, Consultant Planner.
How will changes to Local Housing Allowance affect low-income tenants in private rented housing?
This working paper presents a detailed analysis of the effects of proposed changes to LHA on private tenants. It estimates numbers who will be moved into income poverty and numbers moved into severe housing difficulty. It also looks at the longer-term effects of the measures on poorer private tenants.
We are not delivering the quantity and quality of new housing required, especially affordable housing. The planning system is seen as one of the main barriers to the delivery of new housing. This Solutions paper, published by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation, contains lessons for policy and practice. It analyses the potential of a more localised system housing and planning system.
The Incidence, Value and Delivery of Planning Obligations in England in 2007-08
Researchers from the Universities of Cambridge and Sheffield found that in 2007-08 private developers agreed to fund £5 billion of England’s local capital infrastructure, including roads and schools and new affordable housing in England. The research, which was commissioned by the Department of Communities & Local Government (CLG) and published by CLG, shows planning obligations have led to these very substantial contributions by developers.
Evaluation of the FirstStop information and advice service for older people, their families and carers
FirstStop Advice is a service providing information and advice about care and housing options in later life to older people, their families and carers. The Cambridge Centre for Housing and Planning Research at the University of Cambridge is undertaking an independent evaluation of the FirstStop service. This report details the initial findings of Phase 1 of the evaluation.
UK Government National Carbon Reduction Targets and Regional Housing Market Dynamics: Compatible or Contradictory?
This study, funded by the RICS, addressed whether the government’s national carbon reduction targets for housing were capable of being met in the two RICS regions of the East Midlands and the East of England. It found that they could, provided sufficient resources were made available.
The Working Neighbourhoods Fund was established by Communities and Local Government and the Department for Work and Pensions in 2008. Replacing the Neighbourhood Renewal Fund, it directs funding to 65 local authorities to help them tackle concentrations of worklessness. A team from the Department of Land Economy, under the direction of Prof Peter Tyler and including several members of CCHPR, led the scoping study and interim evaluation of the WNF.
Why do neighbourhoods stay poor? Deprivation, place and people in Birmingham.
Report of a two-year study into the persistence of concentrated poverty in neighbourhoods in Birmingham, looking at the role of housing, migration and economic restructuring.
Housing Association Service Charges for General Needs Housing, 2003/04–2007/08
This report looks at how service charges applied to general needs stock by housing associations (HA) vary between different property types and sizes, and between types of HA, by region and looking particularly at London.
Affordability of Housing Association Rents:
Rent-to-Income Ratio vs. Residual Income
This paper examines residual income measures to investigate the impact of housing association rents on individual household’s capacity to afford an adequate standard of living.
Comparison of stock, rents and service charges among different types of social landlords - Baseline study: 2007/08
This paper draws comparisons of stock, rents and service charges between four different types of social landlord; Traditional mixed funded Registered Social LandLords (RSLs); RSLs who have taken over local authority stock via Large Scale Voluntary Transfer; Local authorities (retention LAs); and Arms Length Management Organisations (ALMO).
This paper looks at housing association target rents and how they differ from private sector rents, in an attempt to capture the extent to which affordability is delivered by the target rents.
Rents and rates of return in the housing association and private sectors 1998/99 to 2007/08
The report examines rental rates of return in the housing association sector as compared to those observed in the private rented sector between 1998/99 and 2007/08 at national as well as at lower geographical levels.
Cross tenure rents and affordability 2007/08 update
This briefing paper examines affordability in the housing associating (HA) sector over the period 2002/03–2007/08. It also compares the position of HA tenants with those in the private rented and owner-occupier sectors.
Annual Analysis of the current pattern of Registered Social Landlord rents 2007/08
The report examines the RSL rent patterns over the period from 2001/02 to 2007/08. It also looks at changes in rents over the same period at different spatial levels; rents by property size; and finally the rent relativities between neighbouring local authorities.
This paper updates and builds on previous analyses to show how rent caps have affected rent determination and assess the extent to which the introduction of a larger number of property size bands and higher rent caps has reduced the incidence of rent caps.
A report on a process study within the evaluation of the MCI, looking at negotiations on the mix of affordable and market dwellings in new developments, and at how capital receipts are used.
Planning and the Gender Equality Duty – why does gender matter?
This research looked at how those involved in planning and regeneration in local authorities have been including an emphasis on promoting gender equality in their work. The study took an early look at how the Gender Equality Duty is shaping planning and regeneration policy and practice.
Continuous recording of lettings (CORE): weighting and imputation methodology
This report details the findings of research commissioned by Communities and Local Government. It recommends a method of adjusting for missing local authority data within the Continuous Recording of Lettings (LA CORE) system. This method was implemented on the 2007/08 dataset and some summary figures have already been published.
This project was commissioned by the Housing Department of the States of Jersey to review the need for social housing in Jersey, and to make recommendations on the future ownership and management of the States’ social housing stock.
Improving the capacity of the planning system in England and Wales: a view from the regions
This project comprised a series of regional round table discussions in the North, Midlands, East, South, London and Wales to assess the capacity of the planning system to deliver the government’s housing targets in sustainable communities. The report presents the findings together with practical recommendations for improvement.
Low Cost Home Ownership and the Credit Crunch: a report on regional markets and competition with private developers
The Cambridge Centre for Housing and Planning Research (CCHPR) report for the Tenant Services Authority, exploring the impact of the credit crunch and housing market turbulence on Low Cost Home Ownership (LCHO), has just been published.
Research into underoccupation in the East of England
This report, commissioned by the National Housing Federation Eastern Region, presents the findings from research into underoccupation in the East of England. The project comprised a review of the literature and current research, interviews with local stakeholders and a web based survey of all housing providers in the region. The results were then used by the NHF to produce a glossy campaigning report which was launched in Cambridge on 26 July 2009.
Renting in the Downturn: Assessing the Impact of the Economic Downturn on Renters and theRented Sectors
This report was produced for the Housing Markets and Analysis (HAS) Expert Panel which provides research and advice to the Department for Communities and Local Government. It looks at the impact of the downturn on the rental sectors of the housing market, both private and social. It looks at lessons from past recessions, explores the impact of the current recession on providers of rental housing and makes some suggestions for appropriate policy responses.
Low Cost Home Ownership: affordability, risks and issues
The Housing Corporation commissioned the Cambridge Centre for Housing and Planning Research (CCHPR) to explore the impact of the credit crunch and housing market turbulence on Low Cost Home Ownership (LCHO).
Homes for the Future: A New Analysis Technical Report
This is the technical report that provides the detail of the method of estimating housing need and demand for the latest update of Shelter’s Homes for the Future research series. The estimates are for the period 2006-2026 and include the need for both social rented and intermediate housing.
The Use of Rent Caps in the Rent Restructuring Regime, 2005/06 and 2002/03
This paper outlines the magnitude of the impact of rent caps on rent determination. It also examines where the rent caps have an effect and whether the impact is concentrated among a particular range of housing associations.
Comparing Rents and User Costs, 2005/06 and 2001/02
This paper examines how housing association (HA) rents relate to costs in other tenures in 2005/06 and 2001/02, the year before target rents were introduced. It compares HA rents, local authority rents, private sector rents and owner-occupation user costs at national, regional and LA levels and for different property types.
Common Starting Points for Section 106 Affordable Housing Negotiations
This report has been drawn upon by CLG to inform the development of the Community Infrastructure Levy. The aim was to explore current LPA practice, to evaluate the relative merits of different CSPs, consider issues such as a single CSP and identify whether the adoption of CSPs would be beneficial.
Valuing Success: A Case Study of Emmaus Village Carlton
This study was an economic evaluation of Emmaus Village Carlton as a social enterprise. This report summarises the context and findings of an investigation into the costs and benefits of running a social enterprise as part of a unique organisation working with homeless people, concentrating specifically on the Emmaus Village Carlton Community.
This research, published by the energy consumer watchdog, examined the limits of competitive markets in the provision of essential services to low-income consumers. Separate chapters covered food, housing, water, telecommunications, public transport, financial services, and energy.
Rapid evidence review of the research literature on the impact of worsening affordability
The National Housing and Planning Advice Unit (NHPAU) Board commissioned the Cambridge Centre for Housing and Planning Research to undertake a rapid evidence assessment of the effects of worsening market housing affordability on the demand for affordable housing, with particular emphasis on social housing as part of its research programme.
Paper Eight – Regional differences in demand for Affordable Housing
Regional differences in demand for Affordable Housing examines the spatial impacts on demand for affordable housing. It does this by investigating the key differences between the regions and looking at indications of demand to draw out key differences. It then looks at how the profile of those living in social housing differs between the regions. The paper also explores some of the key differences in different types of areas found throughout the country.
Black and Minority Ethnic Housing needs and aspirations examines the housing needs and aspirations of Britain’s largest Black and Minority Ethnic (BME) populations. It sets out to identify how demographic, spatial and economic factors have influenced BME populations’ tenure patters to the date, and how changes in these patters may affect the demand for affordable housing from BME populations in the future. This paper also explores the ways in which BME households’ needs and preferences differ from those of White Britons.
Paper Six - Affordable Housing in London:
Needs and Provision, Aspirations and Realities
Affordable Housing in London: Needs and Provision, Aspirations and Realities focuses on London. London’s sheer size, as well as its economic and political importance mean that it has a housing system that is qualitatively different to other parts of the UK. This paper examines the role of affordable, and particularly, social rented housing within that system. It looks at evidence about the scale of housing need and housing supply in the city, the and also at the longer-term housing aspirations of less well-off Londoners.
Paper Five – Tenure aspirations and shared ownership
Tenure Aspirations and Shared Ownership examines the profile of those currently living in shared ownership and then looks at demand for the tenure by considering the reasons why households apply or do not apply for it.
Moving into Social Housing considers demand for social housing amongst those not currently in the sector and examines the profile of the client group seeking social housing. It looks at why people do or do not apply for affordable housing and then proceeds to examine the profile of those who have actually entered the sector in recent years.
Paper Three – Moving Within and Leaving Social Housing
Moving Within and Leaving Social Housing focuses on social rented housing and examines the profile of households that leave the tenure, the reasons for leaving, and where they move to. It also looks at the profile of households that move within the tenure, and their reasons for moving.
Living in Affordable Housing examines what residents think of living in affordable housing. It sets out what is known about design preferences overall before exploring what affordable housing residents particularly like and dislike about their homes and considers what could be done to better meet the aspirations of those within the sector.
Paper One - The Profile of Affordable Housing Residents
The profile of affordable housing residents examines the current profile of affordable housing residents in terms of age, gender, ethnicity and working status. It then proceeds to look at the future composition of the sector if current trends remain the same and considers some of the key drivers likely to alter this profile.
Executive Summary - Understanding demographic, spatial and economic impacts on future affordable housing demand
The research uses both primary and secondary data to understand how demographic, spatial and economic changes will impact on affordable housing demand now and in the future (over the next 5 / 10 / 20 years).
Final Report to the East of England Regional Assembly
The purpose of the research is to identify the changes in the intermediate housing market since the Affordable Housing Study II 2004, in terms of need/demand and supply, and to consider the implications for regional policy formulation and investment in the future.
This research focuses on HAs that have submitted data once or sporadically since November 2005. The aim is to find out the reasons HAs do not submit NROSH data on a regular basis and what can be done to ease the process. This follows Phase I of the research which focused on HAs that submit data on a regular basis.
The provision of affordable housing through Section 106: an update
This project explored how Section 106 (S106) is working on the ground to deliver affordable housing against an uncertain and changing policy background. It is the full report of the ‘Findings’ published by the JRF in December 2007.
The Provision of Affordable Housing Through Section 106: the situation in 2007. RICS Research Paper Series Vol 7 No 14
This project explored how Section 106 is working on the ground to deliver affordable housing against an uncertain policy background. The study found that local authority policy and practice vary across the country. Whilst increasing numbers of affordable units have been provided through S106, there is still room for improvement.
This report was commissioned by Tower Homes and Metropolitan Home Ownership, two of the largest providers of Low Cost Home Ownership in the London area. It involved a survey of clients who purchased on a shared ownership basis over the past twelve months and a second survey of those who became shared owners between three and four years ago. The research looked at the longer-term affordability and sustainability of Low Cost Home Ownership. Affordability is explored both objectively by considering monthly outgoings incurred related to income, and subjectively as revealed in the surveys and interviews with clients.
Final report of major research project commissioned by Defra in 2004. The main findings were available in time to feed into the Affordable Rural Housing Commission’s report last year but publication was delayed until the Strategic Housing Market Assessments Practice Guidance was published by CLG in February 2007.
The Demand for Social Rented Housing – A Review of Data Sources and Supporting Case Study Material
This is the technical report for the (then) ODPM which is now being published to coincide with the publication of the Summary by DCLG and the launch of the John Hills report An Assessment of the Aims of Social Housing.
Use of the Existing Housing Stock in the South East
This report was commissioned by the South East England Regional Assembly. It analyses the ways in which the existing housing stock is used presently and how this might change over the next twenty years.
More Households to be Housed – Where is the increase in households coming from? – technical document
Update of analysis of the Government's new 2006 Household Projections; examining the elements making up the projected growth; the robustness of the projections; and their implications for housing requirements.
East of England Affordable Housing Study Stage 2: Provision for Key Workers and Unmet Housing Need. Part B Report
This is a follow up to a previous study which produced an estimate of newly arising demand and need for housing in the East of England. The current study produces an estimate of unmet need and of key worker housing requirements in the region. Part B of the project provides a template for districts and sub-regions to produce their own assessments of key worker housing. Both reports are available on the Assembly’ web site.
East of England Affordable Housing Study Stage 2: Provision for Key Workers and Unmet Housing Need. Part A
This is a follow up to a previous study which produced an estimate of newly arising demand and need for housing in the East of England. The current study produces an estimate of unmet need and of key worker housing requirements in the region. Part B of the project provides a template for districts and sub-regions to produce their own assessments of key worker housing. Both reports are available on the Assembly’ web site.
This project was commissioned by the Welsh Assembly Government to collect data on the actual rents and service charges charged by every significant social landlord in Wales (22 local authorities and 33 housing associations), to establish the basis of each landlord’s policy for setting rents and the factors which the policies took into account, and to set rents and service charges in the broader context of affordability, including the heating costs of homes. The project report is published by the Assembly as Housing Research Report HRR105.
This was a major project commissioned by ODPM to evaluate the 27 Choice Based Lettings pilots in England. The project was led by the School for Policy Studies at Bristol University, and the project report was published by ODPM.
There is anecdotal evidence that what is finally delivered on the ground through s106 may be different from what was originally negotiated – for example, a large site may be broken up and sold to different developers who may re-negotiate the S106 affordable housing provision. The project aims to assess whether affordable housing is being lost or modified through negotiated changes to the initial agreed S106 as well as through non take-up of planning permission; and to gain an understanding of why this is happening and of patterns of behaviour. The project is joint with the University of Sheffield.
This is part of ODPM’s response to the Barker Review of Housing Supply’s recommendations that many more dwellings are needed to reduce house price inflation. It draws on the results of a model of house price response to additional supply developed in a parallel project at Reading University. The aim of the project is to assess the sustainability impacts of building more houses using three growth scenarios and three regional distributions of that growth. Our input was to assess the social and economic impacts which is a very under-researched area but is nevertheless a vital aspect of long term sustainability.
The Value for money of delivering affordable housing through S106
This study was commissioned by ODPM as a parallel to the work on s106 and SHG funded by JRF and the Housing Corporation. The work involved analysis of Housing Corporation and ODPM data, case studies, interviews with developers and housing associations and analysis of site specific financial information. The interim report fed into the consultation on an optional charge for affordable housing. Like other projects on s106, Sheffield collaborated on the work. The report has been published both in hard copy and on the ODPM web site.
Shelter commissioned an update of their major Housing Investment Project originally completed and published in 2000. The findings were used to feed into government consultation on the 2004 Comprehensive Spending Review. The report was published by Shelter in hard copy only.
East of England Affordable Housing Study Stage 2: Provision for Key Workers and Unmet Housing Need
This is a follow up to a previous study which produced an estimate of newly arising demand and need for housing in the East of England. The current study produces an estimate of unmet need and of key worker housing requirements in the region. Part B of the project provides a template for districts and sub-regions to produce their own assessments of key worker housing. Both reports are available on the Assembly’ web site.
Overview report published by ODPM plus five theme reports and 30 individual policy assessments are on ODPM web site
A major research project for ODPM which is joint with the universities of Glasgow and Heriot Watt. It is organised under five themes, but includes a cross cutting overview summary report which will be widely disseminated as well as a defined, structured analysis of the period. The project involves considerable consultation with experts in addition to the research team. The overview has now been published both on the ODPM web site and in hard format; the theme reports and the individual policy evaluations are expected to be available on the web site in the near future.
Regional Assessment of the Need for Intermediate Housing
This research developed a methodology for estimating the future need for intermediate market housing – housing that is affordable to those who cannot access market housing but who could afford to pay more than social housing rents. Not all households in the relevant income bracket would want intermediate housing, so estimating the need using secondary data is challenging. The report is available on the Assembly’s web site.
South east regional assembly: South east plan Research reports
This is a follow on to a previous study which outlined a methodology for assessing housing need in the South East region. There are two small projects: one producing an estimate of newly arising demand and need and one an estimate of unmet current housing need. It covers sub-regions as well as the region as a whole. The reports are on the Assembly’s web site as part of the evidence base for the South East Plan.
Two short reports to Barton Willmore planning consultants
These two short projects looked at the crisis in the recruitment and retention of key workers in these highly pressured housing markets on the edge of London. Interviews with employers and staff representatives were undertaken to explore how far the problem could be resolved by the provision of designated key worker housing. The study found that many key workers do not wish to live close to their workplace, and others do not wish to live in specially designated ‘health service’ or ‘education’ housing, making it a difficult problem to address.
This small project was commissioned by ODPM to assist their thinking in terms of responses to the recommendations of the Barker Review of Housing Supply (2004) which suggested that planners take more notice of market signals when developing their housing policies. it took the form of answering specific questions raised by ODPM. Methods included literature reviews and interviews with key stakeholders.
Report published on West Midlands Regional Assembly web site
As part of a suite of research to understand regional housing markets, this study was commissioned with the intention of demonstrating the importance of social rented housing to help to sustain services and community in rural villages. A sample of households living in social rented housing was matched with a similar sample of home owners. The results, contrary to the Assembly’s expectations, showed very little difference in service use and community participation between the different tenure groups. The conclusion is that more housing of all types is required to sustain rural communities, including both market and social rented housing.
Internal report to feed into local plan submission
The University is preparing its long term plans for the development of land in the north west of the city. Part of the proposals include new housing development, and this study was commissioned in late 2004 to find out about staff housing needs and past behaviour. The survey was web-based with the aim of repeating it in the future, perhaps on an annual basis.
This is an assessment of seven different approaches to estimating the future demand (or need) for social housing, with the aim of recommending a preferred approach an providing input into the research brief which went out to tender in 2004. As part of this contract, we were not able to tender.
