The Oak Foundation commissioned research into private rented sector access schemes that focuses on good practice as demonstrated through Oak funded projects. The research also looked more broadly at other successful practices and models. The intention was to share good practice from Oak funded schemes and others; to provide practical advice to existing schemes in order to respond to recent welfare policy changes; and demonstrate the potential for private renting schemes to meet specific housing needs.
The role of the private rented sector in preventing homelessness: Identifying good practice and the impact of policy change
The report is in three main parts: identifying good practice; implications of welfare reform; and strategies, solutions and models. The report concluded that while there were clearly many challenges facing private rented sector access schemes in the coming months and years, there were also many examples of good practice in addressing them. Overall, while there was no single solution that works in all housing markets, PRS access schemes were piloting a range of approaches and responding well to the challenges posed by welfare reform. The situation in London was more difficult, but nevertheless schemes were optimistic. PRS access schemes had grown over the previous ten years and seemed likely to continue to do so, despite the challenges posed by welfare reforms.
