Five years on from the launch of the Government's Choice Based Lettings (CBL) programme, new research highlights the positive impact of such schemes, which are a way of allocating social housing by giving tenants a greater say over where they live. Monitoring the Longer Term Impacts of Choice-based Lettings was carried out for the Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG) by Heriot Watt University and the British Market Research Bureau (BMRB), and was published at the recent 2006 Choice Based Lettings Conference in London.
The research, which builds on an earlier evaluation of CBL pilot schemes and assesses the longer-term impacts of the programme, explores local authority and RSL take-up, applicants' views, outcomes for different types of households, and the costs and benefits of the new system.
The study shows that participation in CBL schemes is growing. As of April 2005, more than 80% of local authorities had implemented, or had plans to implement, choice based lettings schemes.
Typically, the proportion of tenancies terminated within twelve months of a CBL scheme being introduced is cut by 10-12%. CBL is also establishing effective trends in better matching people to properties and improving satisfaction with letting outcomes.
Whilst CBL set-up costs can be substantial, particularly in relation to developing an appropriate IT system, this can be off-set by increased housing management efficiencies - particularly through increased tenancy sustainability and the reduction of re-lets. Additionally, set-up costs borne by individual landlords may be reduced where they are shared with others in a consortium scheme.
In-depth work in eleven case study areas appears to disprove concerns that CBL might concentrate certain types of households in particular types of area. In particular, the outcomes for homeless households are largely positive, revealing that under CBL they are more likely to be housed in higher demand areas. Most of the case study areas have seen some diffusion of minority ethnic settlement away from existing areas of concentration and towards 'non-traditional' areas. Such trends have been quite strong in northern cities.
Case study landlords have also recognised the need for active measures to protect the interests of groups that could be potentially disadvantaged by the "active" participation required under CBL, and this support was very much welcomed by applicants/tenants. Interviews with applicants revealed the ongoing need for personalised feedback to improve people's experience of the system and encourage those who have not been allocated a property to continue bidding.
Copies of the research report and summary are available from www.communities.gov.uk.
Dundee voluntary group Zoom was just one of the projects in the spotlight at an event set to re-launch the Scottish Community Action Research Fund (SCARF). The fund helps community groups to carry out their own research into local issues.
A number of groups that have previously benefited from the fund, financed by Communities Scotland, will also be on hand at the event as part of a SCARF 'fayre'. The groups will offer advice to potential applicants and showcase the results of their own research into important local issues.
The Zoom project used the fund to carry out research into the local natural environment. This allowed them to successfully apply for £30,000 in funding to better understand and manage the natural habitats of Broughty Ferry beach.
The SCARF fund was originally launched in 2002. Recent research supported its continuation and found it brought benefits for participants in the shape of improved confidence, skills, relationships, knowledge and increased community participation.
Re-launching the fund, Ms Lamont said: "The Scottish Community Action Research Fund allows research to be carried out by communities, for communities, as they continue to build valuable knowledge and experience.
"The research has covered subjects that can have an impact on people such as drugs, employment opportunities, or the environment.
"SCARF contributes directly to building skills and resources within communities so that people can engage with public bodies, using evidence they have gathered to support their case.
"SCARF has already supported 100 projects across Scotland. Many of these have used their research to make a real difference in their communities."
According to new Housing Corporation research, more than a quarter of UK school children (27%) lack a space at home that they can concentrate in to do their homework. The results also show that more than half of these children (53%) do less than an hour of homework per night, well below the government recommended average.
The Space for the MySpace Generation study reveals that 16% of those without a space to focus on studies end up doing schoolwork either in front of the TV or in the living room - on their lap, floor or sofa.
The Housing Corporation undertook the study as part of an overhaul of its Scheme Development Standards for the 21st Century, using the insights to help update design standards for new affordable housing, including space for children to study. The Housing Corporation Quality and Design Standards report is due to be released early next year and will form the basis of new building and design regulations for providers of new affordable homes.
The findings show a massive 92% of 16-18 year olds suffer unnecessary distraction when trying to do homework. Top of the list of things that affect their concentration are:
Government statistics show that half a million households in England are overcrowded, with 200,000 of these in the social rented sector. The Housing Corporation has accelerated its housing programme, issuing nearly £4 billion to fund over 84,000 new affordable homes over the next two years and ensuring 27% of its homes will have three or more bedrooms (35% in London where overcrowding is particularly high).
Yet, while the supply of affordable housing needs to continue to increase, keeping internal space standards high in new affordable homes is vital. Jon Rouse, Chief Executive of the Housing Corporation, commented: "A well designed space at home is central in supporting the MySpace generation achieve their educational ambitions.
"Having a decent physical space to work in directly affects young people's headspace and their ability to do well in their studies. Regardless of where people live or their circumstances, education should be something where anyone can achieve their potential.
"The Housing Corporation's Scheme Development Standards were developed in 1993, and, although ahead of their time, a lot has changed since then. This is the first time in 13 years that the Government's housing experts have looked at interior design standards. Revamping them is key to ensuring they still fit the way people live now and will in the future."
The Right to Buy in Scotland - Pulling Together the Evidence
A review of the Right to Buy and its effects in Scotland, from the Scottish Executive: www.scotland.gov.uk.
Characteristics and Functions of the Private Rented Sector
Drawing on the 2001 Census, this study gives a snapshot analysis of the people and households living in private rented accommodation, finding young, mobile people dominating the sector.
Joseph Rowntree Foundation's Findings series, No. 1941: www.jrf.org.uk
The West Midlands Housing Time Bomb
This study, by the National Federation of Housing and the Chartered Institute of Housing, looks at housing affordability and supply in the West Midlands region: www.housing.org.uk.