ANALYSIS OF USER (DIS)ENGAGEMENT IN THE PROVISION OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING: CASES IN THE UK HOUSING SECTOR

Abstract

Inadequate and unaffordable housing is the world pandemic that have existed for decades. The need for affordable housing has in recent times become a prominent policy issue across the world. Among various challenges to affordable housing sector is the failure of supply to keep up with its ever-growing demand. A key focus of UK housing policy in recent years has been on the overall supply of housing. Consequently, it is unsurprising to find a wealth of studies that focus on supply-side concerns of accommodating the increasing demand for affordable housing. Furthermore, in the project/construction domain, most studies tend to focus on providers perspectives. However, such emphasis results in the relative neglect on the demand side interests. There is relatively limited focus on the user perspectives. Thus, this research was undertaken to investigate whether and how the demand side perspectives can influence the provision of affordable housing in the UK. In particular, the study looks at (dis)engagement activities and outcomes between the providers and users throughout the project life cycle. To meet the research aim and objectives, this study adopts qualitative stance using a multiple-case study design to unravel the complexities in the engagement between powerful providers and not so powerful users in affordable housing domain. With two purposefully selected UK registered social landlords, data was gathered through semi-structured interview, secondary data, archival data, and documentary analysis. The multiple sources of data gathered both users and providers experiences, meaning and perspectives from their standpoint and created a rich account for each case study. While one case evidence partially positive engagement outcomes, the other case presents quite a negative output in its (dis)engagement and management activities. The study findings indicate that there is deliberate disengagement of users by providers in the provision, maintenance, and management of affordable housing. This in turn tends to create hostile relationship between active users and providers who abdicate from their responsibility to provide affordable and decent housing. This relationship does not foster collaboration and co-creation between these actors. In the worst-case scenario, if unresolved, it could bring disastrous and fatal consequences. The findings highlight the importance of strong institutional and organisation arrangement that can be implemented and adhered to empower and give voice to users to actively contribute to the provisions, maintenance, and management of affordable housing. In view of these findings, this study contributes the knowledge on disengagement by making the hidden “thing” of deliberate disengagement visible. Furthermore, the research establishes a typology of users-providers interaction and engagement and proposes a model for end-users’ engagement in the provision of affordable housing which combines power, voice and willingness to engage in attempt to advocate for meaningful and impactful end-user’s engagement throughout project life cycle.

Date of Award	8 Nov 2021
Original language	English
Awarding Institution	The University of Manchester
Supervisor	Patrick Manu (Supervisor) & Obuks Ejohwomu (Supervisor)