Measuring the Wellbeing Impacts of Temporary Accommodation & Social Housing

Study purpose and focus

In recent years, there has been a substantial rise in the number of households being placed in temporary accommodation. There are a number of routes out of temporary accommodation that a household may be able to take. One of the most common routes out of temporary accommodation is into social housing.

Moving individuals from more insecure and unsuitable temporary accommodation into social housing can have a number of benefits for those individuals. However there has been a lack of evidence to demonstrate the impact that this may have on their wellbeing.

In November 2024, Homes England commissioned SQW to carry out a research study to capture the wellbeing impacts that occur when an individual moves from temporary accommodation into social housing. SQW (supported by IFF Research, Colin Warnock Associates, Richard Crellin, and Dr Tessa Peasgood) undertook a research study to develop evidence on the wellbeing impacts, for use in economic appraisals and value for money assessments, suitable for inclusion within Green Book compliant business cases.

Methodology

To articulate the wellbeing impacts associated with living in temporary accommodation as opposed too social housing, SQW developed a wellbeing framework and theory of change. SQW then designed two online surveys (one for temporary accommodation residents and one for those in social housing). The survey links were distributed by local authorities and Registered Providers of social housing and temporary accommodation to their residents. Prior to distribution, SQW ran a series of in-depth tool testing interviews to explore the survey with individuals living in temporary accommodation and those living in social housing, to ensure suitability.

Findings were analysed and presented in the study report. SQW undertook econometric analysis and followed HM Treasury Wellbeing Guidance for Appraisal to generate a figure associated with the identified wellbeing effects, for use in Land Value Appraisals.

Report and contacts

The report has now been published by Homes England and can be accessed here: Measuring Wellbeing Impacts of Temporary Accommodation and Social Housing - GOV.UK

For further information regarding the study, please contact the economic appraisal team within Homes England: economic.appraisal@homesengland.gov.uk

For further information regarding SQW’s work on the study, please contact Lauren Roberts via lroberts@sqw.co.uk.