HACT has completed the first phase of research examining how the social impact of affordable housing is measured in Scotland.
Commissioned by Shelter Scotland, the literature and contextual review identifies that social value metrics could be used to complement current reporting methods and provide additional insights.
The review highlights the template produced by Public Health Scotland, which could be adapted and used as a framework to help track the impact of affordable housing and align these against the national framework outcomes.
It also suggests that the current system of evaluation is too narrow and should focus on housing as a human right to assess whether needs are being met.
The review is part of an extensive research project to develop a social value evaluation framework and calculator for the affordable housing programme in Scotland.
This will have learnings and implications not only for Scotland, but the whole of the UK’s social housing sector, HACT says.
Government’s affordable housing pledge ‘not enough’
Director of Shelter Scotland Alison Watson said: “This research from HACT is a first step towards building a better system for evaluating the impact of affordable housing and understanding the extent of the work still needed to tackle the housing emergency.
“While the Scottish government’s pledge to deliver 110,000 new affordable homes in the next decade is welcome, it’s not enough.
“Decades of neglect and underinvestment have created a situation in which tens of thousands of people in Scotland are denied their basic right to a safe, secure, and permanent home.
“That’s why it’s vital that we’re able to accurately track progress towards ending this intolerable situation.
“Shelter Scotland is delighted to be working with HACT on this important research, and I look forward to the Advisory Panel providing further insight later in the year.”
James Williams, head of Social Impact at HACT, said: “The Social Value of new socially rented housing is considerable. This research aims to capture value from the perspective of the individuals’ affected and according to their own unique circumstances.
“This exciting research with Shelter Scotland will help housing associations and councils to understand this value as people move into and settle into their new properties.
“The insights and experiences gathered will not only help make the case for continued future investment but will provide a data source to improve social outcomes for individuals and communities into the future.”
HACT partners with organisations across the housing sector to drive value for residents and communities through insight-led products and services that encourage innovation and foster collaboration.
Image: Andrey_Popov/Shutterstock
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