Evaluation of the Boarding Houses Act: Interval Report Number 2, 2015

This is the second interval report for the five year evaluation of the Boarding Houses Act 2012. This report presents evidence that has been gathered to date in relation to the implementation of the Act, as well as the outcomes for residents and the sustainability of the boarding house sector. The Act commenced in 2013 and aims to establish a regulatory framework for boarding houses to ensure that boarding house residents are provided with adequate protection and living standards. This evaluation has both process and outcomes components, and draws on program logic methodology. There are four overarching aims of the evaluation, to: assess the effect of the Act on the well-being of residents of boarding houses; assess whether the rights of residents of boarding houses are better protected following the introduction of the Act; determine the effect of the Act on the sustainability of the boarding house sector, and determine levels and types of collaboration between departments, agencies and community organisations that work with the boarding house sector. The evaluation involves annual data collections of residents, proprietors, staff who work in the sector, as well as, information from relevant state government agencies. Importantly, the evaluation is producing a comprehensive longitudinal dataset that is generating sound, reliable and robust evidence in relation to the impact of the Act, and particularly the well-being of vulnerable and marginalised people who live in boarding houses. The interval reports are expected to present evidence that will assist in the successful implementation of the legislation, to ensure that it receives desired results. The interval reports can highlight emerging issues that need to be addressed through policy and program responses. This second interval report includes comparisons of data between the two annual collections prepared to date.