1 Keith Kintrea Department of Urban Studies University of Glasgow Areas of Multiple Deprivation: What’s the Role of Social Housing?

2 Social housing In principle social housing is a means of breaking the link between household income and the areas people can afford to live in (See John Hills, 2007) But social housing is disproportionately concentrated in disadvantaged areas In Scotland 58% of the housing in the bottom 15% of areas of multiple deprivation is social housing (i.e. 240% of average)

3 TENURE OF HOUSEHOLD BY SCOTTISH INDEX OF MULTIPLE DEPRIVATION (2007 data) 3 Scottish Household Survey: Annual Report

4 Why is this?

5 Background: Poverty rates in UK (and Scotland) are high internationally

6 And poverty in people are disproportionately concentrated in (social) rented housing

7

8 New entrants to the housing association sector in Scotland by economic status (Source: SCORE mid year report, )

9 Proportion of Working Age Households in social housing who are not in work

10 Map of (% of households - Rented from Housing Association) plus (% of households - Rented from Council (Local Authority) Scottish Homes) for Council Area

11 Map of (% of households – Rented from Council (Local Authority) Scottish Homes) plus (% of households – Rented from Housing Association) for Census Area Statistic Sectors within Glasgow City Council Area

12 Map of (% of households - Rented from Council (Local Authority) Scottish Homes) plus (% of households - Rented from Housing Association) for Census Area Statistic Sectors within Aberdeen City Council Area

13 A key focus of our housing and regeneration policies is the creation of mixed communities- communities where among other things there is a mix of incomes and sufficient range, diversity, affordability and accessibility of housing within a balanced market'. Scottish Executive, People and Place, 2006) ‘Scottish Government Policy encourages more diverse, attractive and mixed use residential communities, in terms of tenure, demographic (sic) and income. A range of housing types is needed to support the creation of mixed communities which provide housing options for the whole community…’ (Scottish Government, SPP3, 2008)

14 And what can be done about it?

15 1. Change the Income Profile in Social Housing 1. Provide additional support for non-working age tenants to get into work 2. Improve work incentives by changes to Housing Benefit- e.g. no longer provide 100% of marginal costs 3. Change allocation rules- allow a wider range of people into social housing, make it less needs driven 4. Regularly counsel tenants to check that social housing is still the best option for them (with a view to advising them to move out if not) Apart from 1- all pretty difficult and contentious. See CLG Housing Reform Programme?

16 2. Management-led approaches Better attention to, e.g. Dwelling upkeep Tenancy management Anti-social behaviour Neighbourhood environment, green space, litter etc. ‘Things to do’ for young people All useful, maybe necessary- but not very likely to attract a significantly different clientele, esp. in low demand regions

17 3. More thorough estate restructuring 1. Significant reduction of existing social housing through demolition 2. Promotion of high quality, mixed tenure, housing and facilities, services and environment which attract a wide range of households Craigmillar Parc: ‘The aim is to deliver 50% family housing on site due to the need for family homes in the Edinburgh area. The requirement for social housing is set at 20% given the high proportion of social rented housing already available locally. Craigmillar has suffered from population decline in the past and the project aims to attract a mix of people. The project will also provide two new primary schools, a new community high school and public library, a new 150-acre park, high quality public realm, and a new town centre with over 200,000 square feet office, retail and leisure space’.

18 Keith Kintrea 4. Reshape Capital spending on social housing Current development activity around affordable housing appears careless of ‘mixed communities’ agenda Direct social housing spending away from deprived areas, unless it is part of genuinely mixed developments Adopt S75 in all areas (when market conditions recover) to promote mixed communities De-link part of Affordable Housing Investment Programme from place by offering portable subsidies (‘residents mobility programme’) backed up by advice package- allow more choice of locations and speed up possibilities of redevelopment.

19 Keith Kintrea 5. Improve Permeability of Housing Estates Increase the inward and outward permeability of deprived areas by: Putting transport into the regeneration agenda Giving people more reason and incentive to travel outwith their home neighbourhoods Providing services and attractions within deprived areas which make them attractive to visit for outsiders (Therefore encourage more mixing).

20 So, will it be… or… Keith Kintrea