The latest news from the Welsh Government Knowledge and Analytical Services team.
WELSH GOVERNMENT HOUSING RESEARCH
The following housing research reports have recently been published:
- The final report of research into the economics of the park home industry in Wales was published in October 2016. This study is a comprehensive, independent assessment of the economics of the park home industry and involved research with both park home residents and operators.
- A report on Accessible Housing Registers was published in October 2016. The aim of this short piece of research was to understand more about the current situation regarding the use of ‘Accessible Housing Registers’ and ‘Common Housing Registers’ in local authorities.
- The first (baseline) report from the evaluation of Rent Smart Wales (the registering and licensing of landlords in Wales) was published in November 2016. The evaluation looked at 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 span two years and include research with a number of key groups and stakeholders, including landlords, letting agents and tenants. The next report will follow in 2017.
The following projects are currently underway:
- 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 authorities 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
- A two-year 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 spring 2017.
- 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 the first report is expected in 2017.
All housing research reports can be found at:
HOUSING CONDITIONS EVIDENCE PROGRAMME
The Cabinet Secretary for Communities and Children and the Cabinet Secretary for Environment and Rural Affairs recently published a written statement (gov.wales/about/cabinet/cabinetstatements/2016-new/housingconditions/?lang=en) announcing a major new data collection on housing conditions in Wales. The primary aim of the programme is to provide evidence needed to inform present and future decisions in relation to housing conditions, energy efficiency and fuel poverty measures.
The programme will integrate with the National Survey for Wales, underpin the Welsh Index of Multiple Deprivation and help validate the Welsh Government’s work on energy efficiency and decarbonisation. The programme will include:
- a survey of housing conditions across Wales in 2017-18
- modelling and analysis work on housing conditions and fuel poverty
- the development and maintenance of a ‘dwelling spine’, which will bring together existing anonymised data from a wide range of sources about housing in Wales, in order to provide a sound evidence base for decision making. There are also plans to link to other major data developments, including those in the Office for National Statistics.
Further information can be found on the programme’s webpages: www.gov.wales/hcep or by contacting stats.housingconditions@wales.gsi.gov.uk
HOUSING STATISTICS
Recent publications
- Welsh Housing Quality Standard as at 31 March 2016 – annual release published 6 October
- Affordable Housing Provision in Wales 2015-16 – annual release published 19 October
- Help to Buy – Wales, Shared Equity Loan Scheme – data to 30 September – (Headline only) – 26 October
- Homelessness in Wales April to June 2016 (Headline only) – 9 November
- Mortgage and Landlord Possession Actions, July to September 2016 (Headline only)- 11 November
- New House Building in Wales, July to September 2016 (headline only) – 7 December
- Homelessness in Wales July to September 2016 (Quarterly Headline) – 14 December 2016
- Housing Demolitions 2015-16 (Annual Headline) – 15 December 2016
- Housing Hazards and Licenses 2015-16 annual release – 15 December 2016
- Help to Buy – Wales, Shared Equity Loan Scheme,– October to December 2016 (Quarterly Headline) – 12 January 2017
Future publications:
- National Rough Sleeper Count 2016, annual release – 1 February 2017
- Assistance for Housing Improvement 2015-16 annual release – 8 February 2017
- Mortgage and Landlord Possession Actions, October to December 2016, (Quarterly Headline) – February 2017
All releases are available from www.wales.gov.uk/statistics. Full datasets are available on Stats Wales at: statswales.wales.gov.uk/Catalogue/Housing