By interpreting and analysing the information gained through interviewing the housing officers and conducting the focus groups with young tenants, we could accurately gauge whether the needs and expectations of young people in social housing do indeed differ from the general needs of tenants. In order to establish any trends in the demographics of social housing tenants, we performed secondary data analysis. We used the 2001 and 2011 UK Census to look at certain demographic trends, including changes in age and ethnicity in England over the past ten years, and information about the size of social housing stock and the number of people living in social housing. The census is primary data, and as such should be free from bias or analytical interference. As a source (government data out of the Office for National Statistics) it is reliable and gives reasonably comprehensive and accurate data. We also looked at other government research, including from the English Housing Survey annual reports and its predecessor, the Survey of English Housing. Data we looked at from these reports includes economic statistics, such as the average weekly rent for social housing, the proportion of social renters that received housing benefit and information regarding the economic activity of those in social housing. As these are primary data sets from a reliable source it should be accurate. The Centrepoint report, Housing Working for Young People”, primarily takes its findings “Is from the information in the English Housing Survey and so shows information including changes in the number of people in social housing and statistics regarding rents. Therefore, as it uses core data that can be checked elsewhere, it is easy to ensure that these findings are reliable. The Rowntree report, Options and Solutions for Young People in 2020”, also gives information on the “Housing types of people in social housing, and how this may change in the future. As this is a predictive report, we must not take these findings as Halperin and Heath suggest the usefulness of ‘fact’. looking at these types of data sources, as they are good at bias” and also useful in studying “reducing populations…than would be possible through either interviews or direct observation”(2012, “larger p. 318-9). Findings (demographics):
By interpreting and analysing the information gained through interviewing the housing officers and conducting the focus groups with young tenants, we could accurately gauge whether the needs and expectations of young people in social housing do indeed differ from the general needs of tenants. In order to establish any trends in the demographics of social housing tenants, we performed secondary data analysis. We used the 2001 and 2011 UK Census to look at certain demographic trends, including changes in age and ethnicity in England over the past ten years, and information about the size of social housing stock and the number of people living in social housing. The census is primary data, and as such should be free from bias or analytical interference. As a source (government data out of the Office for National Statistics) it is reliable and gives reasonably comprehensive and accurate data. We also looked at other government research, including from the English Housing Survey annual reports and its predecessor, the Survey of English Housing. Data we looked at from these reports includes economic statistics, such as the average weekly rent for social housing, the proportion of social renters that received housing benefit and information regarding the economic activity of those in social housing. As these are primary data sets from a reliable source it should be accurate. The Centrepoint report, “Is Housing Working for Young People”, primarily takes its findings from the information in the English Housing Survey and so shows information including changes in the number of people in social housing and statistics regarding rents. Therefore, as it uses core data that can be checked elsewhere, it is easy to ensure that these findings are reliable. The Rowntree report, “Housing Options and Solutions for Young People in 2020”, also gives information on the types of people in social housing, and how this may change in the future. As this is a predictive report, we must not take these findings as ‘fact’. Halperin and Heath suggest the usefulness of looking at these types of data sources, as they are good at “reducing bias” and also useful in studying “larger populations…than would be possible through either interviews or direct observation”(2012, p. 318-9). Findings (demographics):