This roundup by Emma Lindley provides a selection of recent research and reports across a range of strategic housing topic areas. If you’d like to suggest any research to be included in future editions, please get in touch.
Housing demand
This research by the National Housing Federation estimates the true scale of housing need, outlining: the number of people affected by housing problems; the issues they are facing (affordability, overcrowding or poor conditions); and the type of housing that would meet their needs.
The Northern housing monitor 2021
This report by the Northern Housing Consortium provides comprehensive data and analysis to better understand the North’s housing markets. Chapters include energy efficiency, housing supply, homelessness, affordability and housing quality.
This report from the Centre for Ageing Better provides a comprehensive review of national data on ageing across five chapters including health, homes, work and communities. It highlights that the number of older people renting rather than owning their homes has reached an all-time high.
Homelessness
This report presents the fourth edition of the Centre for Homelessness Impact’s Effectiveness Map, which focuses on systematic reviews and impact evaluations of homelessness interventions. It includes 562 studies – the majority relating to health and accommodation outcomes. The key gap identified is evidence of the cost-effectiveness of interventions.
Piloting tissue viability wound care and nurse outreach with people experiencing homelessness
This recorded webinar and research report shares the outcomes of two pilot projects to address significant unmet health needs in the homelessness population – specialist wound care and nurse-in-reach across hostel pathways.
Evaluation of the Institute of Global Homelessness ‘A Place to Call Home’
This international comparative study explores the approaches of the first 13 vanguard cities in their efforts to tackle street homelessness. The research found both successes and systemic failures and established a set of recommendations on what works and doesn’t work in addressing street homelessness.
Dying homeless project reveals 1,286 people experiencing homelessness died in 2021
Using data from Freedom of Information requests, the Museum of Homelessness calculated that a fatality occurred every seven hours on average in 2021, a rise of 80% in two years. Many deaths took place in unsafe, unregulated accommodation and cuts to housing, mental health and addiction services all contributed.
Evidence and society in the UK: Public perceptions and homelessness
The research carried out by Ipsos UK found that homelessness is perceived as a serious problem by the public, who expect it to get worse and are supportive of a range of policies designed to address it. However, between 2020 and 2021 there was a trend towards weakening concern and sympathy towards those it affects.
Private rented sector
Challenges and opportunities for the private rented sector
This research commissioned by the National Residential Landlords Association calculates that almost 230,000 new private rented homes are needed a year to meet government housing targets. The research also found that the supply of private rented housing in England has fallen by almost 260,000 in the last five years and forecasts a loss of a further 540,000 properties over the next ten years.
Where next for the private rented sector
This report considers the past, present and possible futures of the private rented sector.
Development
Funding and development of modular housing
This report details findings of a survey conducted by Trowers & Hamlins to gauge views and experience of volumetric and panelised modular construction systems. It considers motivations, funding and key challenges.
Self-build and custom housebuilding in the UK: An evidence review
This report considers the current market share of self-build and custom housebuilding in the UK, including housing types and tenure, the demographic characteristics of those who self-build, the policy context and good practice from Europe.
Supported housing / specialised housing
Evaluating the person-led transitional and strength based response
This report details a two-year evaluation of the service delivered by Mayday Trust in Northampton and its partner Changing Lives in Newcastle, which work with people transitioning out of homelessness. The service uses an asset-based approach and advantaged thinking and was developed following the Wisdom from the Street project in 2011.
Meeting the needs of specific groups
Expanding accessing to naloxone
This research from the Fulfilling Lives programme identifies the need to expand access to naloxone from substance use treatment providers to outreach and day services and supported accommodation services, as well as domestic violence services, sexual health services and food banks.
Housing associations and home adaptations: Finding ways to say yes
This report from Foundations covers: how adaptations are funded and delivered; how funding arrangements might be improved and the delivery process made quicker and more effective; how the moving process might be improved when adaptations aren’t the right solution; and encouraging a longer term and more strategic view of home adaptations.
Is the system doing enough for women experiencing a range of disadvantage?
This report from Fulfilling Lives shares experiences and insights of women with lived experience and of practitioners working alongside them and identifies the challenges and barriers they face to accessing services. Recommendations include trauma, gender and culturally-informed service provision and housing pathways, such as the Housing First for Female Sex Workers pilot in Leeds.
System change for people experiencing multiple disadvantage
This report from Fulfilling Lives synthesises two years of research and learning from services operating in Lambeth, Southwark and Lewisham. It identifies five core issues in the system and makes recommendations to address them: improve access and transitions; meet people’s specific needs; deliver person-led services; invest in practitioners; and improve funding and policy.
Key learning from Fulfilling Lives in Stoke-on-Trent
This blog from Neil Morland and Co shares the findings of their evaluation of the Fulfilling Lives programme in Stoke-on-Trent, including the solutions developed, their effectiveness and the possible long-term systems change for the area.
Partnerships with health and social care sector
This article summarises the limited research supporting the use of Crisis Houses, including savings to the NHS resulting from reduced hospital stays.
How can we tackle health inequalities this time
This article summarises the past, present and future of health policy to tackle health inequalities.
