The latest news from the Welsh Government Knowledge and Analytical Services team.
WELSH GOVERNMENT HOUSING RESEARCH
The following projects are currently underway:
- In the Spring of 2016, the Welsh Government published a report on a feasibility project which explored whether administrative data could be used to evidence the impact of the Supporting People programme on the health service use of the those accessing the support. The report concluded that administrative data could be used in this way and so the main stage of the Supporting People Administrative Data Project is now underway. This is a three-year project and a progress report was published in June 2017.
- An evaluation of the changes made to homelessness legislation (Housing (Wales) Act 2014) is also underway. The overall aim of this evaluation is to understand how the legislation has been implemented by organisations involved in supporting people at risk of homelessness (local authorities, housing associations and third sector organisations), and what the experience has been of those seeking help under the new legislation. The first report from this evaluation is expected to be published in Summer 2017.
- The evaluation of Rent Smart Wales (the registering and licensing of landlords in Wales) has explored how the Scheme has been implemented, as well as the impact the scheme has had so far on landlords, letting agents and tenants. The evaluation will include research with a number of key groups and stakeholders, including landlords, letting agents and tenants. The first report was published in November 2016, and the final report is due for publication in Autumn 2017.
- The Welsh Government has commissioned research into the fees charged to tenants in the private rented sector in Wales. The research will look at what constitutes a fee as well as explore the potential impact of banning these fees. Research will be undertaken with letting agents and landlords across Wales, with a report to be published in Autumn 2017.
- The Welsh Government has commissioned a comprehensive, independent assessment of extra care in Wales to help inform future investment decisions. The key objectives are to explore local authority’s strategies for meeting the housing needs of older people and where extra care fits into this into the future, as well as looking at the cost-efficiency of extra care and
- An evaluation of the homelessness services available to adults leaving the adult secure estate is now underway. The aim of the evaluation is to understand the early impacts of recent legislative changes and the introduction of the new National Pathway on former prisoners who were homeless or at risk of homelessness as they approach their release. The evaluation will also look at the impact on those involved in supporting those former prisoners, such as local authorities, criminal justice agencies, housing associations and third sector organisations. The report is expected to be published in 2018.
- A review of social housing rent policy is also underway. This will explore whether the current rent policy is fit for purpose and achieves it’s original objectives, particularly in the context of the external developments mentioned above. The final report is expected in 2018.
All housing research reports can be found at:
HOUSING CONDITIONS EVIDENCE PROGRAMME
Welsh Housing Conditions Survey 2017-18
Work is progressing quickly on the survey and the Building Research Establishment (BRE) has employed four regional supervisors who undertook a successful pilot during May. The survey form has since been finalised, surveyors have been employed, and will attend a five-day briefing programme in July before main stage fieldwork starts in August. Data from the survey will be available from Autumn 2018, with Fuel Poverty estimates published by the end of 2018.
Further information, methodology, materials and respondent information can be found on the survey webpages: www.gov.wales/whcs
‘Dwelling Spine’
Work on scoping and developing the ‘Dwelling Spine’ is continuing. The team have been working with the Data as a Service (DaaS) Division of ONS to investigate potential data sources that could be attached to the ‘Spine’. The team at ONS are hosting a ‘hack day’ in June to identify non-survey data sources that describe the condition and fabric of the housing stock in Wales, the results of which will be reported on at the second meeting of the ‘Dwelling Spine’ Technical Group in September.
Programme Governance
The development and delivery of this important programme is carried out in conjunction with external stakeholders as they too will be able to use the data to inform their work. This is highlighted by senior representation from WLGA, CHC and Public Health Wales on our Programme Board (strategic oversight) and Project Board (day-to-day management).
The Technical Advisory Groups for both the Welsh Housing Conditions Survey and the ‘Dwelling Spine’ also include a wide range of representation, both internally and externally, including ONS, DCLG in England, Data Unit, and academia.
Please visit the Programme webpages: www.gov.wales/hcep or contact stats.housingconditions@wales.gsi.gov.uk if you have any queries, or would like to be added to our stakeholder list.
HOUSING STATISTICS
Recent publications
- Homelessness in Wales, October to December 2016 (Quarterly Headline)– 22 March
- Private sector rents in Wales, 2016 annual release – 11 April
- Help to Buy – Wales 2015-16, annual release – 26 April
- Dwelling Stock Estimates 2015-16, annual release – 27 April
- Mortgage and Landlord Possession Actions, January to March 2017 (Quarterly Headline) 11 May
- New House Building in Wales 2016-17, annual release – 8 June
Future publications:
- Social Housing Sales, 2016-17, annual release – 13 July
- Help to Buy Wales April to June 2017, quarterly headline -27 July
- Homelessness in Wales 2016-17, annual release July 2017 (day to be confirmed)
- Social Housing Stock and Rents, 2016-17, annual release – 2 August
- Mortgage and Landlord Possession Actions, April to June 2017, quarterly headline – 10 August
- New House Building in Wales , April to June 2017, quarterly headline – 14 September
- Homelessness in Wales, April to June 2017, quarterly headline- 28 September.
All releases are available from www.wales.gov.uk/statistics. Full datasets are available on Stats Wales at: https://statswales.wales.gov.uk/Catalogue/Housing
The Welsh Government Future Trends Report
The Welsh Government Future Trends Report has now been published.
The report has been designed to support the public sector in Wales in making better decisions for the long term.
It identifies the key social, economic, environmental and cultural trends that could affect Wales in the future, as well as some of the factors that could influence the direction of those trends.
The report is available at gov.wales/statistics-and-research/future-trends/?lang=en