Housing Needs Assessment

What is the Housing Needs Assessment?

The Council commissioned a Housing Needs Assessment in October 2006 in order to provide updated data on housing need in the Borough.  The assessment was carried out by David Couttie Associates (DCA), an independent housing research consultancy, who have also completed similar studies for other Hertfordshire districts.

 

The Housing Needs Assessment included a postal survey, face-to-face interviews and web-based and paper-based research.  The information gathered gives the Council important data about the number of people looking to move home within the next three years, the condition of people's current housing and the need for both open market and housing association homes in the future.  The Assessment is therefore a very significant piece of research, underpinning key decisions in the housing and planning agendas for the next five years.

 

The Assessment was reported to the Community Services Committee on 5 June 2007.  The Committee papers, including the Council's report on the Assessment, are available on the Community Services Committee  page of this website

 

Using the data from the Housing Needs Assessment, DCA analysed supply and demand by location within the Borough to identify where there are likely shortfalls or surpluses of each property size in each location in the Borough.  This report will be available shortly.

 

The previous Housing Needs Assessment was carried out in 2002.

 

If you would like more information, please contact the Council's Housing Policy and Project Manager on 01992 785521 or housing@broxbourne.gov.uk.

 

Housing Strategy

The Housing Strategy sets out how the Council will provide and enable housing services across all tenures in the Borough.  It sets out local priorities and objectives, policies and actions required, taking into account housing needs and resources available.

 

It was produced in consultation with various stakeholders including Registered Social Landlords (RSLs, also known as housing associations), the Health Authority, tenants and residents.

 

The action plan is updated at least annually.  The most recent update was in January 2007.

 

The Council also has a Homelessness Strategy, which was developed in partnership with local organisations providing advice, support and accommodation to people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness.  The Homelessness Strategy Action Plan was updated in 2007.

 

The Council's Affordable Housing Strategy was published in 2008.

 

Housing Revenue Account business plan

The Council transferred its housing stock to Broxbourne Housing Association in January 2006 and therefore no longer produces a Housing Revenue Account business plan.