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

Harding, Andrew and Hean, Sarah and Parker, Jonathan and Hemingway, Ann (2020) “It can’t really be answered in an information pack…” : A realist evaluation of a telephone housing options service for older people. Social Policy and Society, 19 (3). pp. 361-378. ISSN 1474-7464

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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 paper reports a qualitative realist evaluation on the efficacy of a UK telephone service providing information on specialist housing to older people. The findings of 31 realist interviews with 16 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.

Item Type:
Journal Article
Journal or Publication Title:
Social Policy and Society
Additional Information:
https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/social-policy-and-society/article/it-cant-really-be-answered-in-an-information-pack-a-realist-evaluation-of-a-telephone-housing-options-service-for-older-people/CF3EC13D3688986AFF615550B6377025 The final, definitive version of this article has been published in the Journal, Social Policy and Society, 19, 3, pp 361-378 2020, © 2020 Cambridge University Press.
Uncontrolled Keywords:
/dk/atira/pure/subjectarea/asjc/3300/3301
Subjects:
?? housing optionssheltered housingextra care housinginformationadvicerealist evaluationsocial sciences (miscellaneous)sociology and political sciencepolitical science and international relations ??
ID Code:
137759
Deposited By:
Deposited On:
11 Oct 2019 08:20
Refereed?:
Yes
Published?:
Published
Last Modified:
06 Mar 2024 01:05