The role and function of social housing in England are being recast by sweeping reforms, with an expectation from government that housing associations (HAs) act as an effective local welfare service and promote the social mobility of their tenants. The need for HAs to engage tenants in a range of welfare services is both new and has become more urgent with recent welfare reform. However little research has focused on this new landscape of welfare provision or on the experiences and expectations of HA tenants using these services.

This one-year project led by Dr. Emma Wainwright at Brunel University London considers the processes and experiences of this reform agenda through an exploration of HAs and tenant engagement. Building on previous research with A2Dominion, Catalyst and East Thames focusing on HAs and training for work, the broad aim of this research is to explore the multiple services (e.g. health, employment & financial advice, volunteering etc.) that HAs now offer tenants and the new and necessary forms of engaging tenants. It is based on interviews with key informants as well as interviews with HA residents accessing welfare provision. This research is conducted in collaboration with Catalyst Housing and A2Dominion.

The project is funded by the British Academy/ Leverhulme Trust  and runs from July 2016 to September 2017.  

More information on the project, the research team and the Housing Associations involved in the project is available via the above page tabs, or feel free to get in touch with any enquiries.

Contact:

Dr Emma Wainwright

Emma.Wainwright@brunel.ac.uk

+44 (0)1895 266088

Department of Education

Institute of Environment, Health and Societies (Welfare, Health and Wellbeing theme)

Halsbury building, Brunel University London, Uxbridge UB8 3PH