Housing Exploratory Research and Recommendations

Tender description

We are looking to appoint a partner to explore the extent to which housing is a risk factor for violence within West Yorkshire and opportunities to mitigate risk in a violence reduction context. The research will be based on three overarching research questions: 1. How, and to what extent, is housing a risk and protective factor for victimisation or perpetration of violence? 2. To what extent does insecure, unsafe, and unaffordable housing destabilise families and what are the outcomes of this? 3. How can housing and victim services become more aligned to support individuals experiencing insecure or unsafe housing arrangements who also have co-occurring risk factors such as health and substance use issues? The research will include: • An exploration of the demographic profile of those most affected by housing instability or homelessness. • A component dedicated to understanding how gender, race and ethnicity intersect with housing experiences and risk of violence. • A detailed assessment of how housing can be a risk and protective factor for violence. • An exploration of: - the violence experienced by individuals who have been homeless or rough sleeping. - how overcrowding can be a contributing factor for victimisation and/or perpetration of violence. • An understanding of how the current ‘cost of living crisis’ will impact the population of West Yorkshire and those already experiencing insecure housing arrangements and/or homelessness. • Collaboration with relevant housing stakeholders to obtain relevant insight and understanding. • An exploration of specific and complex support pathways for individuals who are dealing with co-occurring housing, mental health and/or substance use issues, so they are not barred from specialist support. • Recommendations of how to support partnership and collaboration across sectors – victim services, housing, mental health, substance use.