Research and Advice

arc⁴ has developed a strong track record in social, economic and opinion research in relation to housing and community subjects.

With a wide range of research techniques, tools and partners we can tailor studies to produce the most appropriate and cost effective findings.

Our main areas of research include:

Housing Market Analysis
Strategic Housing Market Assessments, refreshed HMAs and local updates
Housing Needs and Demand Studies;
Targeted Assessments of specific client groups - for instance, active or older elderly, Gypsies and Travellers, New Migrants and housing market sectors such as first time buyers or the private rented sector;
We also deliver, separately or as part of a single commission, consultation and community engagement, focus groups, creative research and innovative work including hard to reach groups.

Recent commissions include revewing sheltered housing schemes and offering a new strategic context for RP housing offers to the elderly. We partner with architects, surveyors and valuers to offer a comprehensive analysis from the government agenda through to individual scheme solutions.

And we also deliver performance monitoring, Customer Insight, KPI and KLOE reviews and a full range of integrated analyses for your organisation.

Research methods

We have developed a suite of research methods to respond to the needs of our clients. These include:

Household surveying: we have contacted over 500,000 households using postal, online and face-to-face surveys

Secondary data analysis: we have access to a range of data including the 2001 census and other Government statistics, Land Registry house price data, and social rented lettings data

Geographical Information Systems (GIS): we use MapInfo to analyse, interpret and present geographical data

Stakeholder consultation: through consultation events, face-to-face interviews, online surveys to stakeholders. We regularly consult with Estate Agents, builders, developers, RSL representatives, private sector landlords, and Supporting People teams

Focus Group work: we regularly organise focus group discussions with local residents. These provide an opportunity to discuss peoples’ experiences, attitudes and expectations.

Specialist support

In order to deliver a range of specialist research services, we regularly work in partnership with other organisations and draw upon the expertise of our Associates. Our research partners include: celloMRUK (face-to-face and telephone survey fieldwork), Washington Direct Mail (printing and mailing) and PHL Ltd (data entry).