The purpose of the research study was to provide information on the experiences, attitudes and aspirations of apartment dwellers in Ireland in 2019. The focus was on those living in purpose-built flats or apartments and examines people’s levels of satisfaction with their apartment and neighbourhood, affordability issues, and explores housing aspirations for the future. No distinction is made between flat or apartment in the analysis. The research objectives were to: Outline the key contextual issues influencing the apartment sector; Provide data on people’s experiences living in apartments; Examine the different factors that impact on their experiences; and, Examine apartment dwellers’ aspirations for their future housing needs.

Non-probability: Quota. The sampling approach taken was non-probability quota similar to the 2018 study. In the 2018 Housing Agency study, AIMRO social class quotas were used to ensure the sample matched the Irish population. In the absence of this, social class quotas for those living in purpose-built apartments; the Pobal HP Deprivation Index was used to ensure that aspread of socio-economic groups were interviewed. The achieved sample was 511 completed survey questionnaires from a sample which was representative of the Irish population aged 19 years plus living in purpose-built apartment blocks. To achieve this, quotas were set on age, region and gender to align with the Central Statistic Office’s Census 2016. Sampling points were spread to represent the distribution of apartment dwellers nationally – across Dublin, the rest of Leinster, Munster, Connacht and Ulster. Furthermore, within Dublin sampling points were distributed across the four local authority areas proportionally to represent the number of persons living in purpose-built apartment blocks in each administrative area. To reflect the diversity of Dublin and to take account of the large proportion of interviews to be conducted in the capital, the Pobal HP Deprivation Index (https://www.pobal.ie/app/uploads/2018/06/The-2016-Pobal-HP-Deprivation-Index-Introduction-07.pdf) which shows the relative affluence or disadvantage of a particular geographical area, was used to profile each local authority area and determine the spread of sampling points within each local authority area. Using this method ensured the interviewing captured a representative socio-economic profile in each local authority area.

Face-to-face interview: CAPI/CAMI