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Policy development, research & evaluation
Our team has a long history in helping government and other organisations develop, monitor and evaluate housing and energy policy through our independent research. The work has included the cleaning and analysis of large datasets (e.g. meter point data, detailed gas consumption data and temperature data) sensitivity analysis and predictive modelling. Examples of our work include:
Housing Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS), which provides an evidence-based risk assessment approach to housing conditions, was developed by the University of Warwick in collaboration with BRE.
Decent Homes Standard. We helped develop the original Decent Homes Standard for social housing and were recently commissioned by MHCLG to provide policy expertise, English Housing Survey modelling and scenario testing to inform the development of the new Decent Homes Standard for all rented homes.
- The New Decent Homes Standard: policy statement - GOV.UK
- EHS Briefing: Modelling a new Decent Homes Standard - GOV.UK
Cost of Poor Housing research
Since 2020 we have been undertaking our Cost of Poor Housing research which quantifies the cost burden to the NHS and to wider society of leaving homes with the most serious health and safety hazards. Our latest research on the cost of poor housing shows that remedial work to England’s poorest housing could provide £135.5bn in benefits to society over the next 30 years.
Fuel Poverty methodology. Our team are the leading experts in the calculation of fuel poverty at a national level. We evaluate and develop the calculation methodology to reflect the changes requirements of government, for example we provided technical support and data which fed into the development of the current Low Income Low Energy Efficiency fuel poverty methodology.
Evaluation of energy grant schemes. Our research has focused on the impact of these schemes on energy use and fuel poverty among participating households. We have been part of consortiums commissioned to evaluate the Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund, the Energy Company Obligation scheme, Local authority green homes grant and voucher schemes, and Northern Ireland Affordable Warmth and Boiler Replacement Schemes.
Energy Follow Up Survey 2017 provided data and analysis to better understand how householders heat their homes and use energy during the heating season and explored the relationship between thermal comfort, ventilation and dampness. Our team was the lead partner and project manager, overseeing all aspects of the data collection, analysis and reporting from householder surveys, as well as temperature and energy monitoring.
Lead / consortium partners in the government reviews of Disabled Facilities Grant, Major Repair bills for Leaseholders, evaluation of selective licencing schemes.
Potential of PV installations for the UK housing stock
Social research.
BRE has a long history of social research and has amassed a wealth of research and consultancy experience. BRE’s Social Researchers share key skills in:
- Questionnaire design
- Interviewing
- Focus Group / Workshop facilitation
- Observational research
Our recent projects have focused on occupant behaviour, namely how people interact with their building systems, including new technologies, which directly impact their energy consumption, indoor environmental quality, and thermal comfort. We have also undertaken research that examines the barriers to home adaptations.
Evidence to Parliament
The team also submits evidence to parliamentary committees and the government on housing conditions, for example the effectiveness of the HHSRS, and proposed reforms for the rented tenures, drawing on its data knowledge and expertise.