Understanding the Private Rented Sector in WMCA Region (Children, Families and Young People)
WMCA Homelessness Taskforce / Social Finance · 2025
About this report
This review examines how the private rented sector (PRS) operates across the seven local authorities in the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) region, with a focus on its role in causing and relieving homelessness. Using quantitative analysis of rental listings and statutory homelessness data, alongside surveys and focus groups with landlords and tenants, the report finds that only 4% of listed properties are priced at or below the Local Housing Allowance rate, and that significant affordability pressures vary substantially within as well as between local authorities. The report concludes with a set of local, regional, and national recommendations to reform PRS policy and practice, including improvements to landlord incentive schemes, long-term leasing arrangements, supported housing regulation, and advocacy for LHA rate increases.
Research details
- Methodology
- SurveyFocus groupInterviewSecondary analysisMixed methods
- Sample size
- 86
- Sample
- Private landlords operating in the WMCA region, and tenants with experience of the private rented sector and/or temporary accommodation (including some with lived experience of homelessness), recruited via local authorities and partner organisations.
- Who it's about
- Young people experiencing homelessness
- Locality
- West Midlands Combined Authority
- Place
- West Midlands
- Youth involvement
- No youth involvement