“There Was a Wee Fifer Wha Lived in Cupar” Or how often do local people get fair and equitable access to social rented housing ?

Background  This study came into being because I needed a subject for an MSc dissertation.  I read the guidance and it said that you really have to find something which interests you. You will run into obstacles in any academic study and if the subject does not interest you then the task of staying with the study will become even harder.  This was one of the best pieces of advices at the start and I would say to anyone embarking on any type of research that this is essential.

The Subject Although it is not my patch, I have helped colleagues manage stock in North East Fife which was primarily an agricultural area with a history of reliance on fisheries and more recently tourism. At public meetings and in conversation with a variety of people over the years, I have often heard the view expressed that local people did not always do well when competing for social rented housing. I had heard that housing often went to “incomers” or people who had high levels of need but perhaps were not “local”. These concerns or fears were expressed at a number of levels by people in the community. I therefore decided to try and investigate this to see if people’s perceptions had a basis in reality.

The Area

The Data  The Study looked at just over tenancies in North East Fife between the late 1990s and It also looked at the outcome of 200+ relets over the same period.  It looked at who received tenancies at initial allocation and the most up to date allocation where the property had become vacant.

Origins of Applicants for Original 463 Allocations Distance No of applicants In settlement miles from settlement miles from settlement69 Elsewhere in the council area15 Outwith the county25 Incomplete data108

Origins of Applicants for 239 Relets DistanceNo of Tenants In settlement miles from settlement miles from settlement58 Elsewhere in county5 Outwith county9 Incomplete Data17

Need Groups at Initial Allocations Need GroupNo of tenants housed in category Homelessness81 Social and Medical73 Cant afford current accommodation14 Poor housing conditions49 Lack of Security76 Relationship Breakdown5 Harassment11 Domestic abuse6 No immediate need4 Incomplete data144

Needs Groups at Based on 239 Relets Need GroupNo of tenants housed in category Homelessness62 Social and Medical33 Cant afford current accommodation4 Poor housing conditions82 Lack of Security60 Relationship Breakdown4 Harassment2 Domestic abuse3 No immediate need4 Mutual Exchange9 Incomplete data26

Occupational Status Based on 463 Allocations Occupational statusNumber of tenants Unemployed77 Employed PT/FT242 Retired43 Students3 Carers3 Disabled3 Incomplete Data92

Occupational Status Based on 239 Relets Occupational StatusNumber of tenants Unemployed48 Employed PT/FT127 Retired10 Students3 Carers1 Disabled4 Incomplete Data46

Distance from Home to work Based on 239 Relets DistanceNumber of Tenants In settlement Miles miles21 Elsewhere in Fife5 Outwith Fife7 Incomplete Data48

Income Source Based on 463 Allocations Income SourceNumber of Tenants Wages216 Full welfare Benefits84 Pension26 Partial Benefits38 Incomplete Data99

Income Banding Based on a 10% Sample of the Original 463 Allocations Weekly Income BandingNo Tenants within Banding Less than £952 £96 - £19511 £196 -£28912 £290 -£3847 £385 -£4799 £480 +6

Income Banding Based on 20% Sample of 239 Relets Weekly Income BandingNo of Tenants within Banding Less than £959 £96 -£19513 £196 -£28911 £290 - £3849 £385 - £4795 £480 +0

Age Bandings Based on 20% Sample of 239 Relets Age groupNo of Tenants

Distance of Kin Based on a 20% Sample of 239 Initial lets DistanceNumber of Tenants Kin Living in Settlement14 Kin living 0-5 miles7 Kin Living 5-10 miles5 Elsewhere in the Council Area2 Out with Fife5 Next of kin not given or a partner14