The latest news from the Welsh Government Knowledge and Analytical Services team.
Welsh Government Housing Research
The following research projects are underway:
- An evaluation of Rent Smart Wales is being finalised. The primary aim of this research is to assess the implementation and impact of services delivered through Rent Smart Wales.
- An evaluation of Renting Homes (Wales) Act 2016 is underway. This research will evaluate the newly implemented Renting Homes (Wales) Act by looking at tenant, landlord and stakeholder views and experiences and is now going into its second phase.
- A Leasing Scheme Wales evaluation is underway. This research will be evaluating the leasing scheme Wales programme, looking at the experiences of tenants, landlords and local authorities. It will also gather information on the demographics of who is using the scheme (tenants and landlords).
- Empty Buildings in Town Centres and Small Businesses is underway. This research will identify how small businesses currently source premises in town centres and how this can be improved.
- Evaluation of Second Homes and Affordability Pilot is underway. This research is an evaluation of the second homes and affordability interventions being run in Dwyfor. The research is now going into its second phase, a process evaluation.
- Innovative Housing Programme: Year 3 is underway. This research will identify the lessons learned in relation to construction from year 3 of the innovative housing programme, including looking at what impact the Covid-19 pandemic may have had.
- Children’s Experiences of Homelessness is underway. This research will involve utilising specialist participatory methods, to work with children and young people who have lived experience of homelessness, to understand their unique experiences.
- Transforming Towns Evaluation is currently underway. This is an evaluation of the processes and impacts of the Transforming Towns programme.
- Social Rents research is underway. This research aims to understand how housing associations are setting social rents in Wales, and collate existing evidence about different rent setting options.
All housing research reports can be found at: gov.wales/research
Housing statistics
This year’s Housing Information Group annual seminar focussed on homelessness – aiming to share recent analysis and research in this area.
The day included presentations from charities, local authorities, academics and government departments, who provided an update on developing case level homelessness data for Wales and showcased recent research, analysis and data linking projects which give further insights into the homeless population.
It was an opportunity for attendees to discuss statistical, research and analytical evidence, to share experience and identify shared interests in this area.
Since the last update the following statistical outputs have been published:
· Homelessness accommodation provision and rough sleeping | GOV.WALES – monthly publication
· Help to Buy – Wales (shared equity loan scheme: October to December 2024 (published 6 March 2025 )
· Dwelling Stock Estimates: at 31 March 2024 (published 3 April 2025)
· Social landlord housing sales: April 2023 to March 2024 (published 30 July)
· Homelessness: April 2024 to September 2024 (Published 6 March 2025)
Housing Conditions Evidence
Publications
Since the last update the following statistical outputs have been published:
- Fuel poverty in Wales: interactive dashboard | GOV.WALES. All external data sources feeding into this dashboard were updated on 3 September.
- New house building: April to June 2024 | GOV.WALES. The most recent quarter of new house building data covering April to June 2024 was published on 19 September.
- Council tax chargeable second homes in Gwynedd and Dwyfor: 13 April 2023 to 13 April 2024 | GOV.WALES. On 24 September, we published a new article highlighting changes to the numbers of council tax chargeable second homes found in Dwyfor and Gwynedd between April 2023 and April 2024.
Please contact us via the stats.housing@gov.wales mailbox with any queries or requests.