Qa is key partner in major social housing research project
A major new project aiming to improve the sustainability of social housing tenancies is underway – and Qa Research is a key partner.
Holding On To Home focuses on the experiences of tenants receiving Universal Credit or Housing Benefit.
It pays particular attention to identifying the causes of rent arrears, as this is the main reason why tenancies fail.
There is a lack of research in this area, and the problem is getting worse. Tenants are finding it increasingly difficult to pay their rent as new drivers of rents arrears emerge, and existing ones ‘play-out’ differently.
Research will explore the behaviours of tenants and landlords and provide evidence-based guidance which will improve landlords’ tenancy sustainment policies and practices. The ultimate aim is to make it easier for tenants to pay their rent, and reduce the number of tenancies that fail.
The study is a collaboration between Sheffield Hallam University, where the core research team are based, Qa, the Chartered Institute of Housing, HQN (Housing Quality Network), and Andrew Burdett Design.
Mixed-method research will include:
- a tenant survey
- in-depth interviews with tenants and ‘stakeholders’
- a tenant diary-keeping exercise
- conversation analysis of landlord/ tenant communications
- documentary/ secondary data analysis
- and rent account analysis.
A Tenant Steering Group will oversee all aspects of the research, which will also be guided by a Policy and Practice Advisory Group.
The study is funded by the Nuffield Foundation through the welfare domain of its Research, Development and Analysis Fund.
Helen Hardcastle is leading the Qa team carrying out a survey of the tenants.
Helen said: “Our surveys will give people a chance to have their voices heard at a time when many are experiencing increasing pressure associated with the cost of living.”
You can find out more about the project on the Holding On To Home website.
Photograph: Pedro Ramos on Unsplash
