Developing a systems approach to evaluating local authority funding cuts and their consequences for health inequalities – with particular reference to housing
Research Team: Dr Matt Egan, Elizabeth McGill, Dr Lindsay Blank, Professor Elizabeth Goyder, Professor Clare Bambra, Dr Monique Lhussier, Professor Dame Margaret Whitehead, Professor Jennie Popay, Dr Ben Barr, Dr Zaid Chalabi, Dr Tarra Penney, Professor Richard Smith, Dalya Marks, David Pye, Margaret Ogden & David Stone
Who's involved: London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Fuse, LiLaC, University of Sheffield & University of Cambridge
April 2018 - March 2019
Since the economic crash of 2008 and subsequent general elections, public spending has been cut and Local Government spending has been particularly affected.
This research aims to prepare the ground for future work assessing how these cuts impact upon local housing provision and services, particularly those affecting people on low incomes. This preparatory work will examine how English local authorities meet the housing needs of disadvantaged residents during the ongoing period of economic hardship and public sector ‘austerity’.
Consultations with experts and the public combined with a review of policy documents and academic research, will take place. From these activities the ‘local housing system’ – the network of national and local stakeholders involved in housing provision and its funding – will be mapped, and examined to assess how austerity has changed that system.
The ‘winners’ and ‘losers’ in the competition for scarce resources will be identified, and the consequences for different forms of housing provision and services. Testable theories will be developed to explain how changes to housing provision affect the health and wellbeing of different population groups, including (for example) young people and families, low income groups, vulnerable groups, homeless, migrants and people with different ethnic and cultural backgrounds.
A consultation will be undertaken with experts on research methodologies, notably those with expertise in qualitative and quantitative approaches to analysing ‘system’ change.
This research aims to build a working group between SPHR researchers to address outstanding research questions on the broader health and economic impacts of welfare rights advice.
June 2018 - May 2019
This project assessed whether the Housing+ programme in Sheffield had a positive impact on the health and wellbeing of tenants.
April 2016 - March 2018
SPHR researchers investigated whether concessionary prices or free access to leisure supported people to participate in physical activity across several areas in North West England.
October 2014 - January 2017
