NEWS FROM THE NI HOUSING EXECUTIVE

Housing Research Bulletin – 9th Edition

The most recent edition of the Housing Research Bulletin summarises a number of short reports on the private rented sector in Northern Ireland, produced by the University of Ulster for the Housing Executive. The findings point towards a sector that fulfils a vital role in catering for a range of needs, and raise questions on how best to support the quality private rented sector that will continue to be a very necessary part of Northern Ireland’s housing market.

On a similar, sustainability-related theme, other articles in this edition of the Research Bulletin consider the impacts of second homes north and south of the border in Ireland, new evidence on the level of segregation in Housing Executive estates outside Belfast, and the measurement of ‘social assets’ at local level in Northern Ireland.

It can be accessed at: www.nihe.gov.uk/housing_bulletin_autumn_09_.pdf


Continuous Tenant Omnibus Survey

The 2008 Continuous Tenant Omnibus Survey (CTOS) was the fifteenth comprehensive assessment of the attitudes of Housing Executive tenants to be carried out since 1994. As well as gathering views on the Executive’s service provision, the survey provides a useful socio-economic profile of Housing Executive tenants.

www.nihe.gov.uk/continuous_tenant_omnibus_survey_annual_report_2008__november_2009_.pdf


Migrant Workers and the Housing Market: A Case Study of Dungannon

There has been no comprehensive study of the effect of the rapid increase in the number of migrant workers on Northern Ireland’s housing market. This research goes some way to address this issue. Using Dungannon as a case study, it examines the impact that migrant workers have had on the local housing market, provides an insight into their current housing circumstances and gives a preliminary indication of their future housing needs.

www.nihe.gov.uk/migrant_workers_and_the_housing_market_-_a_case_study_of_dungannon.pdf



Performance of the Private Rental Market (Belfast Metropolitan Area)

This report examines the developments in the private rental market January-June 2009. It indicates that in line with other parts of the UK average rent levels have declined a little.

www.nihe.gov.uk/rental_report_jan-june_09.pdf


The Private Rented Sector in Northern Ireland

This important suite of new research publications deals with aspects of privately rented accommodation and the experiences of tenants.

Introduction and Background
www.nihe.gov.uk/private_rented_sector_in_northern_ireland_report_1_introduction_and_background_to_research_series__published_july_2009_.pdf

Stock Profile and Physical Condition Report
www.nihe.gov.uk/private_rented_sector_in_northern_ireland_report_2_stock_profile_and_physical_condition_report__published_july_2009_.pdf

Socio-economic Profile of Private Sector Tenants
www.nihe.gov.uk/private_rented_sector_in_northern_ireland_report_3_socio-economic_profile_of_tenants_in_the_private_rented_sector__published_july_2009_.pdf

Living in the Private Rented Sector
www.nihe.gov.uk/private_rented_sector_in_northern_ireland_report_4_living_in_the_private_rented_sector_-_the_experiences_of_tenants__published_august_2009_.pdf




Stick, Twist or Bust: Final Report

This study looks at the impact of falling grant rates and the efficiency agenda on the ability of small and medium-sized housing associations in England to develop new social housing. This final report consolidates previous working papers and offers a commentary on the significance of the findings for the housing association sector in Northern Ireland.
www.nihe.gov.uk/stick_twist_or_bust_-_final_report.pdf

Age Friendly Communities in the North: People and Places 2020

The Northern Housing Consortium have conducted ground-breaking research amongst their membership to explore, understand and respond to the needs of older people in our communities, and to map out the steps the housing sector needs to take to create ‘age friendly’ homes, neighbourhoods and services which will meet the needs of future generations. The results of this major research project will be launched at an unmissable event for any one involved in the provision of services for older people: Tuesday, January 26th, 2010, York Racecourse, York.

Also featuring the first screening of Northern Silver Screen II – a collection of short films looking at best practice in age friendly and intergenerational ctivities.

Delegates at the event will:
-Receive a free copy of the publication, ‘Age Friendly Communities in the North: People & Places 2020’
-Receive a free copy of the Northern Silver Screen II DVD
-Hear latest government thinking around ensuring that homes and neighbourhoods are ‘age friendly’ and future proofing the sector as a whole
-Gain the knowledge to understand the key challenges, identify opportunities and deliver results
-Share good practice and learn from one another
-Hear about the tools and solutions available to future proof the services you deliver

For further information or to book a place, please visit:
www.northern-consortium.org.uk/Page/Events/

NEWS FROM CLG

Measuring and valuing public services at the neighbourhood level:
http://www.communities.gov.uk/publications/communities/measuringpublicservices

Review of permitted development for charging points for electric cars:
http://www.communities.gov.uk/publications/planningandbuilding/electriccarsreview

Small scale renewables and low carbon technology:
http://www.communities.gov.uk/publications/planningandbuilding/smallscalesummary

Economic developments delivered by the New Dimensions programme:
http://www.communities.gov.uk/publications/fire/newdimensionbenefitsreport

NEWS FROM CLG

Key messages on housing market renewal pathfinders:
http://www.communities.gov.uk/publications/housing/hmrkeymessages

National evaluation of housing market renewal pathfinders 2005-2007:
http://www.communities.gov.uk/publications/housing/hmrnationalevaluation

Housing market renewal and community cohesion:
http://www.communities.gov.uk/publications/housing/hmrcommunitycohesion

Housing market renewal and private sector developers:
http://www.communities.gov.uk/publications/housing/hmrprivatesectordevelopers

Policy alignment and partnership working in housing market renewal pathfinders:
http://www.communities.gov.uk/publications/housing/hmrpolicyalignment

Value for money issues and the evaluation of housing market renewal pathfinders:
http://www.communities.gov.uk/publications/housing/hmrvalueformoney

Wider performance measures for the housing market renewal programme:
http://www.communities.gov.uk/publications/housing/hmrwiderperformance

Supporting People client records and outcomes annual report 2008-09:
http://www.spclientrecord.org.uk/pubs.cfm

Citizenship survey April - June 2009:
http://www.communities.gov.uk/publications/corporate/statistics/citizenshipsurveyq1200910

NEWS FROM CLG

Transformational Change? A Synthesis of New Evidence 2008-09

http://www.communities.gov.uk/publications/communities/transformchangendcp

This report synthesises the evidence and analysis from a variety of reports published as part of the evaluation of the New Deal for Communities Programme on the extent of change that has occurred in the 39 deprived neighbourhoods the programme covers.


An Overview of Cross-sectional Change Data 2002-2008

http://www.communities.gov.uk/publications/communities/crosssectiondatandcp

This report presents new data from the 2008 New Deal for Communities household survey and, for key indicators, tracks change from 2002 across the series of household surveys bi-annually. Local and national benchmarks are included where data permits.


Four Years of Change? Understanding the Experiences of the 2002-2006 New Deal for Communities Panel - Main Report

http://www.communities.gov.uk/publications/communities/fouryearschangendcp

This report provides a longitudinal perspective on outcome change in deprived areas through the analysis of household survey data collected as part of the evaluation of the New Deal for Communities Programme.

Understanding and tackling worklessness volume 1: Worklessness, employment and enterprise: Patterns and change
http://www.communities.gov.uk/publications/communities/worklessnessvol1


Understanding and tackling worklessness volume 2: Neighbourhood level problems, interventions, and outcomes
http://www.communities.gov.uk/publications/communities/worklessnessvol2


Improving outcomes? Engaging local communities in the NDC Programme
http://www.communities.gov.uk/publications/communities/improvingoutcomesndcp

This study explores the nature and impact of community engagement activities in six New Deal for Communities (NDC) Partnerships.


Raising educational attainment in deprived areas: the challenges of geography and residential mobility for area-based initiatives

http://www.communities.gov.uk/publications/communities/educationndcp

This report explores the challenges in New Deal for Communities areas for local partnerships to develop and evaluate effective interventions to raise the educational attainment of local children.


Residential mobility and outcome change in deprived areas

http://www.communities.gov.uk/publications/communities/residentmobilityndcp

This report examines the nature and impact of residential mobility on outcome change in the New Deal for Communities areas with a focus on how 6 case study partnerships experience and address issues raised by residential mobility in their areas.


The 2008 Partnership Survey

http://www.communities.gov.uk/publications/communities/parnershipsurvey2008

This report sets out the findings from the 2008 New Deal for Communities Partnership Survey which covers a range of operational issues such as personnel and staffing,partnerships with other agencies, organisational structure and plans for succession.


The NDC Programme: Outputs and Expenditure 1999-2007

http://www.communities.gov.uk/publications/communities/outputsexpenditurendcp

This report presents a summary of data on spend and outputs to date.

NEWS FROM CLG

New publications from CLG include:

Attitudes to Housing: Findings from Ipsos MORI Public Affairs Monitor Omnibus Survey

Attitudes to Housing: Findings from Focus Groups

Exploring local authority policy and practice on housing allocations

The research can be accessed at:
www.communities.gov.uk/publications/housing/housingoptionsattitudes

NEWS FROM CLG

New Reports from CLG on Community Empowerment include:

http://www.communities.gov.uk/publications/localgovernment/localdecisionlessons

http://www.communities.gov.uk/publications/localgovernment/localdecisionreview

NEW ACADEMIC PUBLICATIONS

Bramley, G. & Watkins, D. (2008) Public Service Costs of Child Poverty, Joseph Rowntree Foundation: York http://www.jrf.org.uk/publications/public-service-costs-child-poverty

Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh University & ECA School of Architecture (2008) Design at the Heart of House-Building, Scottish Government Social Research http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2007/11/08110758/0

Levin, E. and Pryce, G. (2009) A regional house price model of excess demand for housing, RICS Research Report May 2009, ISBN: 978-1-84219-510-9

Pawson, H. & Sosenko, F. (2008) Sector Restructuring; Housing Corporation Sector Study 61; http://www.housingcorp.gov.uk/server/show/nav.001010001005

Pawson, H. & Watkins, D. (2008) Analysing Key Trends in the Supply and Distribution of Social Housing Lettings; Housing Corporation Sector Study 62 http://www.housingcorp.gov.uk/server/show/nav.001010001005

Pryce, G. (2009) Responding to the Impending Repossessions Crisis, Housing Analysis and Surveys Expert Panel Papers, 7, Communities and Local Government.

NEWS FROM CLG

New CLG research on migration and minority communities - http://www.communities.gov.uk/communities/publications/research-stats/

NEWS FROM CLG

New publications on mixed communities -
http://www.communities.gov.uk/publications/housing/mixedcommunitiessummary

New publications on deprived neighbourhoods -
http://www.communities.gov.uk/communities/publications/research-stats/

New publications on enterprise zones -
http://www.communities.gov.uk/localgovernment/publications/research-stats/

New publications on planning, building and environment -
http://www.communities.gov.uk/planningandbuilding/publications/research-stats/

NEWS FROM NORTHERN IRELAND HOUSING EXECUTIVE

Northern Ireland Housing Market Review and Perspectives 2009-2012

The Housing Executive launched the latest of its annual Housing Market Review reports at the Northern Ireland Housing Forum on 18th February 2009. The Review provides a comprehensive update on developments in the housing market over the past year in the context of a world recession, and highlights the important role that construction of an increased number of social dwellings can play both in the economy and in meeting housing need. The report can be accessed online: www.nihe.gov.uk/housing_market_review_and_perspectives_2009-12.pdf

The most recent edition of the Housing Executive’s Housing Research Bulletin was also launched at the same event. It summarises findings on a number of subjects, including the extent to which buy-to-let investment impacted on house price growth, how higher-density development can provide quality living space, and the shape and state of Northern Ireland’s HMO sector. Findings on the accommodation needs of Travellers and rural housing need assessment are also featured in this, the eighth Research Bulletin, which can be downloaded at: www.nihe.gov.uk/index/sp_home/research-2/housing_research_bulletin.htm

NEWS FROM CRESR, SHEFFIELD HALLAM

NEW RESEARCH PROJECTS
Barriers to Delivering Rural Affordable Housing in Wales
CRESR researchers have been commissioned by the Welsh Assembly government to investigate the barriers to delivering affordable housing in rural areas of Wales, to identify examples of good practice and to make policy recommendations to facilitate the provision of affordable rural housing in a challenging economic and political environment. The research includes a survey of key stakeholders and local planning authorities and detailed case studies. A final report will be produced in June 2009. For information about this study contact John Flint: j.f.flint@shu.ac.uk

Calderdale Irish Health Study
NHS Calderdale (in West Yorkshire) has commissioned CRESR to carry out a new research project to explore the health needs and well being of the older Irish population (50 years and over) in the district. The study will also examine Irish people’s use and experiences of health and health-related services, and the extent to which their health needs are met by existing statutory and voluntary sector providers. A final report will be produced in March 2009. For further information about this study please contact Rionach Casey: r.casey@shu.ac.uk

Green Corridor Strategy Review
A CRESR-led consortium involving Ed Ferrari (University of Sheffield) and MTL Consultants has been commissioned to carry out a Review of the Green Corridor Strategy. The Green Corridor is a joint initiative involving a partnership arrangement between the three local authorities of Barnsley, Doncaster and Wakefield. The programme began as a mechanism to stimulate housing market renewal but has since broadened to encompass wider economic and community objectives. The project aims to review the success and impact of the Green Corridor programme and to ensure that the forward strategy is appropriate to the changing economic context and is aligned with emerging national and regional policies. The Final Report will be produced in June 2009. For further information about this study please contact Ian Cole: i.d.cole@shu.ac.uk

RESEARCH REPORTS
Bashir, N. and Flint, J. (2008) The Construction of a New Mosque in an English City: A Study of the Madina Masjid (Mosque) and Sheffield Islamic Centre (Sheffield: Sheffield Hallam University)

This report presents the findings of a study of a new build mosque and Islamic centre in Sheffield. The study investigated the politics of the new development, the role of the planning process and how the mosque was conceptualised within wider policies aimed at fostering community cohesion in Sheffield.

For further information about this study and a copy of the final report please contact Nadia Bashir: nadia.bashir@shu.ac.uk

OTHER ACTIVITIES
In December 2008, CRESR hosted an exchange study visit to Sheffield by 15 senior policymakers and practitioners from the Netherlands, led by Professor Ronald Van Kempen. The visit included tours of local and regional housing regeneration initiatives and a series of lectures by researchers and academics.

NEWS FROM CLG

• The process of formulating the analytical programme has begun and it is planned to publish an agreed programme on the CLG website in April 2009
• Preliminary results from Survey of English Housing 2007/08, http://www.communities.gov.uk/publications/corporate/statistics/sehprelimresults0708
• English House Condition Survey 2007 - Headline report, http://www.communities.gov.uk/publications/corporate/statistics/ehcs2007headlinereport

News from CLG

• Housing care and support: A guide to integrating housing related support at a regional level: http://www.spkweb.org.uk/Subjects/Supporting_People_independent_review/Housing+Care+Support+A+guide+to+integrating+housing+related+support+at+a+regional+level.htm
• Changing Supporting people in England: Results from a pilot exercise: http://www.spkweb.org.uk/Subjects/Supporting_People_independent_review/Changing+Supporting+People+in+England+Results+from+a+pilot+exercise+-+Survey+Summary.htm

NEWS FROM RESEARCH CENTRES

News from Cambridge Centre for Housing and Planning Research

CCHPR has worked on a range of research projects over the past few months:

• Common Starting Points for Section 106 Affordable Housing Negotiations, published August 2008, was commissioned to improve the evidence on the dynamics of planning obligation negotiations for affordable housing contributions. The research was drawn upon by CLG to inform the development of the Community Infrastructure Levy. This report builds on our work around affordable housing and the planning system; we have also recently produced practice guidance on delivering affordable housing through Section 106 for the Welsh Assembly Government and for the East of England and London commuter belt.
• The report, Low Cost Home Ownership: Affordability, Risks and Issues, looks at how Housing Associations are responding to the market downturn. Further research will be published in the New Year looking more closely at the impacts of the economic downturn on regional LCHO markets and at how the major house builders are offering their own version of LCHO in an attempt to prop up sales.
• A series of eight papers, commissioned by the Housing Corporation draws upon new research as well as existing data to understand how demographic, spatial and economic changes will impact on future affordable housing demand. It examines the changing profile of residents, needs and aspirations, mobility, shared ownership, regional variations and the needs of BME groups.
  

NEW PUBLICATIONS FROM CLG

• The PFI initiative for HRA housing baseline report: http://www.communities.gov.uk/publications/housing/pathfinderbaselinesummary
• Citizenship survey: http://www.communities.gov.uk/publications/corporate/statistics/citizenshipsurveyq12008-09
• Digital inclusion: http://www.communities.gov.uk/corporate/publications/research-stats/
• Julie Rugg's review of the PRS: http://www.communities.gov.uk/news/housing/1000701

RESEARCH NEWS

News from Northern Ireland Housing Executive
• The 2006 House Condition Survey has recently been published. It presents comprehensive findings on the region’s housing stock including dwelling tenure and age, unfitness, state of repair, SAP ratings, Fuel Poverty and how Northern Ireland’s housing stock performs under the Housing Health and Safety Rating System. The report can be downloaded at: www.nihe.gov.uk/housing_conditions_survey_2006.pdf and www.nihe.gov.uk/2006_housing_conditions_survey_statistical_annex.pdf
• The Private Rented Sector Index 2007 has recently been published. Produced by the Housing Executive in partnership with PropertyNews.com and the University of Ulster, this report, which concentrates on the Belfast Metropolitan Area, provides the first detailed insight into the dynamics of the private rental market in Northern Ireland. Based on a sample of almost 5,400 rental transactions, the report provides analysis by location, property type and number of bedrooms, and also offers insights on average monthly rent. It is however an index which is in its early stages – other sources of information such as private sector Housing Benefit data will refine the index in the future.
• The Housing Research Bulletin for Autumn 2008 can be accessed at: www.nihe.gov.uk/housing_research_bulletin_autumn_2008.pdf. Highlights include the second and final phase of a project by Professor Chris Paris (University of Ulster) which examined the concentration, use and impact of second homes in Northern Ireland; and research on household energy consumption carried out among Housing Executive tenants as part of a larger project looking at energy consumption in three European States.

Developer Housing Land Transactions (CLG)

Lucy Cartlidge and Craig Watkins (University of Sheffield) with David Adams and Chris Leishman (University of Glasgow) have recently completed a study of developer to developer housing land transactions for CLG. The report reveals that land transaction have become an increasingly important source of short term finance for housebuilders. It highlights that the differences in responses to the credit crunch are not driven by the size of the firm or the niches in which they operate. Rather they are more closely related to the financial structures and business models adopted. Contact: Craig Watkins.

Social housing and worklessness

A new report presents the key messages for policy to emerge from a study commissioned by the Department of Work and Pensions that explored possible explanations for the relatively high levels of worklessness among tenants in social housing. Contributors include Del Roy Fletcher, Tony Gore, Kesia Reeve and David Robinson from CRESR (Sheffield Hallam University).
The report is available from the DWP website.

Northern Ireland Housing Executive

Northern Ireland Housing Market Review and Perspectives 2008-11

The Northern Ireland Housing Executive recently published its twelfth annual Housing Market Review and Perspectives, which provides comprehensive information and analysis on the region’s housing market across all tenures and informs the Executive’s strategic intervention in the market.

Among its findings, the Review reports:

• A growing waiting list for social housing;


• Continuing difficulties for first time buyers;


• The end of the boom in house prices;


• Progress in housing standards;


• Progress on energy efficiency; and


• Growing levels of fuel poverty due to rising fuel costs.;

The Review and Perspectives draws on and complements a number of other ongoing and completed research projects, including the findings of the 2006 Northern Ireland House Condition Survey (full report due to be published later this year) and house price and affordability indicators such as the report on Housing Market Affordability in Northern Ireland 2006/07 and the Quarterly House Price Index series . The full Housing Market Review and Perspectives Report is also available on the Housing Executive’s web site.

Housing Research Bulletin

The Housing Research Bulletin, launched in 2005 and published twice yearly, aims to highlight the latest research on important housing issues, as well as providing signposts towards other useful, topical information produced by Government departments, universities and other bodies. It is distributed widely in Northern Ireland, and is also available to download from the Executive’s web site.

The sixth edition was published earlier this year, providing an update on some of the organisation’s most recent research activity, including:

• Headline results from the 2006 Northern Ireland House Condition Survey (housing stock, tenure, age and unfitness, based on a sample of 7,250 dwellings);


• Summary findings from the latest phase of a partnership project with the University of Ulster looking at the characteristics of the private rented sector in Northern Ireland; and


• A baseline study of segregation on Housing Executive estates in Belfast, carried out for the Housing Executive by Queen’s University.;

The Bulletin is available to view at www.nihe.gov.uk/publications/reports/housingbulletin6.pdf . Previous editions can also be downloaded at www.nihe.gov.uk/research2/HRB.asp