Energy Deprivation

Title: HOPED: Housing Precarity and Energy Deprivation in Ireland

Overview:

This research offers a new understanding of the relationship between energy deprivation and precarious housing conditions, and their socio-economic impacts. The research will address the following questions:

• What is the extent of energy deprivation and housing precarity in Ireland and how do their combined impacts vary by household type, income, tenure and geography?
• What are the key predictors and how is this 'double precarity' experienced by vulnerable groups?
• How can policy be shaped to minimise such impacts?

Drawing on EU-SILC data and interviews, this research will measure the extent and severity of their combined impacts across housing tenures and socio-economic groups. The specific objectives are:

1. Examine the extent and trajectory of energy deprivation and housing precarity in Ireland (2005-2023).

2. Develop a novel measure of energy deprivation by combining data and on energy affordability and thermal efficiency, while extending the housing precarity data record.

3. Analyse the bi-directional relationship between energy deprivation and housing precarity, their combined impacts and predictors across population groupings

4. Qualitatively explore the impacts of energy deprivation and housing precarity on 'at risk' groups.

5. Facilitate knowledge exchange by communicating findings to policymakers and practitioners.

The project will deliver pragmatic contributions for policy makers, including an extensive evident base, monitoring tools, academic publications and presentations.

Status: To begin Q1 2024

Outputs: