New research published today by the Department for Work and Pensions explores possible explanations for the relatively high levels of worklessness among tenants in social housing. A separate, forthcoming, report will present the detailed research findings.
The research design focused on two key activities: further analysis of existing administrative and survey data and relevant literature and in-depth qualitative interviews with 107 social tenants in two neighbourhoods (a concentrated area of social housing and 'pepper-potted' area of social housing) in each of four case study local authority districts (Derby, Islington, Peterborough and Sheffield).
In addition, 30 in-depth qualitative interviews were also conducted with private rented tenants. The purpose of this report is to headline the key policy messages to emerge from the research. To this end, discussion is organised around six key themes identified by DWP, CLG and Cabinet Office as potential areas for effective intervention: Social housing as a work incentive, geography, mobility, tax and benefits, further barriers to work facing social tenants and multiple disadvantage and integrating services.