Posted 03.01.14
BSHF has published new research which investigates public perceptions of overcrowding. Jen Pearce, Researcher at BSHF, outlined some of the findings:
"The research in our report 'Perceptions of Overcrowding: Public views of space in the home' highlights the difference between public opinion and the current overcrowding standards.
"It suggests that the standards fall well below public expectations, particularly for some household types. As a result, official estimates are likely to be underestimating the scale of the problem with overcrowding.
"Our focus groups highlighted the additional space that children need for healthy development and family life. In contrast, the statutory overcrowding measure suggests children need half the space of adults, while other standards give no indication of the space needed by household members.
"In England, 1 in 7 families with children live below the minimum standards for space agreed by our focus groups. This is much higher than current official estimates of overcrowding.
"Our research also suggests that the public think that couples over 60 should have access to two bedrooms to allow for the increased likelihood of ill-health or disability. Again, current standards do not consider the additional needs of older people.
"We recommend that The Department for Communities and Local Government and the Scottish and Welsh Governments should introduce a new statutory overcrowding measure that draws on public perceptions of minimum space standards. This would be a big first step in addressing this issue."
Perceptions of Overcrowding: Public views of space in the home is available from the BSHF website as a free download.
Posted 02.01.14
Five Years Ago - Reports in the January 2009 edition of our Housing Monthly Diary included:
A survey by the Local Government Association, Improvement and Development Agency and SOLACE found that more people are experiencing mental health problems, struggling to find a roof over their head and needing Housing Benefit to help make ends meet.
The survey of local authorities found that across the country - businesses, residents and public sector organisations are feeling the effects of the recession.
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Research by the Welsh Liberal Democrats found that the majority of councils wanted to give their tenants the widest possible choice of options when it comes to paying their rent and did not have any formal policies in place regarding the use of credit cards.
Of those councils that responded to the survey, only Gwynedd and Neath Port Talbot Councils did not accept any payments by credit card.
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New research by the National Aids Trust (NAT) finds that people living with HIV are struggling to cope with the impact of poor housing and many housing professionals have little understanding of HIV.
The NAT report, published in partnership with Shelter, reveals that many in the social housing sector remain unaware of the effect poor housing can have on the lives of people living with HIV. In some cases outright discrimination was identified.
