Abstract copyright UK Data Service and data collection copyright owner.

This is a qualitative data collection. The overall objective of the project was to explore how people perceive their ability to develop and sustain their choice of lifestyle in non-permanent accommodation. The 2001 Census highlighted a range of accommodation that can be defined as non permanent, including caravans, mobile homes and boats. This project focused upon the role that park homes and residential boats played in housing markets from residents' perspectives, and explored meanings of home for people who live in accommodation that can be defined as mobile in some way. To a certain degree the term 'mobile home' is a misleading one in relation to park homes. They are mobile to the extent that they are factory-made units that are transported to the parks where they are to be sited. Further, legally, park homes are required to remain potentially mobile, and although park homes are mounted on a chassis with wheels, a brick skirt around the base of the park home usually hides this aspect of their appearance. In contrast, boats have the potential for genuine mobility. There is a huge variety of boats that are occupied permanently as homes, and most can move under their own power. The research used semi-structured qualitative interviews to examine a range of issues with residents and key stakeholders. These interviews investigated perceptions of the constraints and opportunities for people who live in park homes and residential boats, presented within the wider policy and institutional context. Further, the motivations of respondents for choosing these types of accommodation were examined, and how far choice or constraint in the housing market had played a part in their decision making. The interviews also explored the subsequent experiences of respondents, including their future aspirations as well as their perceptions of the image of their homes amongst the general public and also statutory agencies. Further information about the project may be found on the ESRC Award web pages.

Main Topics:

The qualitative views and experiences of people living in park homes and residential boats, including: reasons and motivations for choosing their homes; views and experiences of their current home and locality; future aspirations.

Purposive selection/case studies

Face-to-face interview

Telephone interview