'It Can't Really be Answered in an Information Pack.. ': A Realist Evaluation of a Telephone Housing Options Service for Older People

Authors: Harding, A.J.E., Hean, S., Parker, J. and Hemingway, A.

Journal: Social Policy and Society

Volume: 19

Issue: 3

Pages: 361-378

eISSN: 1475-3073

ISSN: 1474-7464

DOI: 10.1017/S1474746419000472

Abstract:

Despite calls for better support to empower people when reassessing their housing in later life, two recent literature reviews highlight a paucity of research on the efficacy of such services. This article reports a qualitative realist evaluation on the efficacy of a UK telephone service providing information on specialist housing to older people. The findings of thirty-one realist interviews with sixteen older people are presented. Information-seekers' existing tenure (social tenant or private owner-occupier/renter) shaped their experience and utilisation of support. Broadly, however, information was considered too 'light touch' to empower older people. However, the widely recognised lack of accessible housing options and reports of non-transparent and unresponsive market practices were also key factors. This study underlines the widely acknowledged need to increase the supply of specialist housing, and recommends that housing options support be reflective of market conditions and be more substantive-including discussion, deliberation, education and advocacy.

https://eprints.bournemouth.ac.uk/33159/

Source: Scopus

'It Can't Really be Answered in an Information Pack ... ': A Realist Evaluation of a Telephone Housing Options Service for Older People

Authors: Harding, A.J.E., Hean, S., Parker, J. and Hemingway, A.

Journal: SOCIAL POLICY AND SOCIETY

Volume: 19

Issue: 3

Pages: 361-378

eISSN: 1475-3073

ISSN: 1474-7464

DOI: 10.1017/S1474746419000472

https://eprints.bournemouth.ac.uk/33159/

Source: Web of Science (Lite)

“It can’t really be answered in an information pack…”: A realist evaluation of a telephone housing options service for older people

Authors: Harding, A., Hean, S., Parker, J. and Hemingway, A.

Journal: Social Policy and Society

Publisher: Cambridge University Press

ISSN: 1474-7464

https://eprints.bournemouth.ac.uk/33159/

Source: Manual

“It can’t really be answered in an information pack…”: A realist evaluation of a telephone housing options service for older people

Authors: Harding, A., Hean, S., Parker, J. and Hemingway, A.

Journal: Social Policy and Society

Publisher: Cambridge University Press

ISSN: 1474-7464

https://eprints.bournemouth.ac.uk/33159/

Source: Manual

“It can’t really be answered in an information pack…”: A realist evaluation of a telephone housing options service for older people.

Authors: Harding, A., Hean, S., Parker, J. and Hemingway, A.

Journal: Social Policy and Society

Volume: 19

Issue: 3

Pages: 361-378

ISSN: 1474-7464

Abstract:

Despite calls for better support to aid older people’s decision-making about housing options, two recent literature reviews highlight a paucity of research on the efficacy of such services. This paper reports a qualitative realist evaluation on the efficacy of a UK telephone service providing information to older people concerning specialist housing. The findings of 31 realist interviews with 16 older people are presented.

Information provided to social tenants did not add much to what people already knew as social tenants tended to be familiar and knowledgeable about housing options available to them. Information seekers in mainstream housing (typically owner-occupiers), who were less familiar with housing options than social tenants, remained uncertain about their housing issues and tended to desire more substantive discussion and deliberation to become more informed. Information was considered too ‘light touch’, although the widely recognised lack of accessible housing options and reports of non-transparent and unresponsive market practices were also key factors. This study underlines the widely acknowledged need to increase the supply of specialist housing, and in the current UK context recommends that housing options support for older people be more substantive – particularly for those residing in mainstream housing.

https://eprints.bournemouth.ac.uk/33159/

Source: BURO EPrints