The Census 2021 data provides insights into the housing occupancy trends in England and Wales. The following key points emerged from the analysis:
- Under-Occupied Accommodation: In 2021, a significant majority of households in both England (68.8%) and Wales (76.3%) had more bedrooms than required, leading to under-occupied accommodation.
- Overcrowding by Accommodation Type: Flats, maisonettes, and apartments were more likely to be overcrowded (8.3%) in England, while caravans and temporary structures experienced overcrowding in Wales (4%).
- Tenure Impact: Rented accommodations had a higher likelihood of overcrowding in both England (8.5%) and Wales (4.3%) compared to owner-occupied properties (1.9% in England and 1.2% in Wales).
- Ethnic and Religious Disparities: Households identifying as “Muslim” faced more than five times the risk of living in overcrowded conditions than the overall average in England, and six times more in Wales. Similarly, households identifying as “Black, Black British, Black Welsh, Caribbean or African” experienced higher levels of overcrowding.
- Household Composition: Lone-parent-family households with dependent children had the highest tendency for overcrowding (12.9% in England and 6.6% in Wales).
- Geographical Variations: London exhibited the highest levels of overcrowding across various accommodation types, with flats, maisonettes, and apartments in the city being notably affected.
Detailed Analysis:
- The concept of “occupancy rating” was used to evaluate whether households were overcrowded or under-occupied based on the number of bedrooms.
- A significant proportion of households had more bedrooms than required, resulting in under-occupied conditions. London had the highest proportions of both overcrowded and occupied-to-standard accommodation.
- Flats, maisonettes, and apartments in England were more likely to be overcrowded (8.3%), while caravans and temporary structures in Wales experienced overcrowding (4%).
- Rented accommodations were more susceptible to overcrowding in both England and Wales.
- Households where all members identified as “Muslim” or “Black, Black British, Black Welsh, Caribbean or African” faced higher risks of overcrowding.
- London stood out with the highest levels of overcrowding across household compositions.
- Lone-parent-family households with dependent children were most likely to experience overcrowding.
- In London, various types of households exhibited higher levels of overcrowding, emphasizing the city’s unique housing challenges.