1. Strategic Housing Market Assessment

In 2005, we undertook a Local Housing Assessment (as they were called back then) for Kirklees Council. This was a bridge between the old Housing Needs Studies and the current Strategic Housing Market Assessments in that it involved both a housing needs survey and some consideration of the housing market. The study withstood planning challenges and provided the evidence for planning policies on affordable housing. It used primary research (face-to-face household survey) and secondary data to present an assessment of the housing demand and housing needs issues in the District.

Since the initial project completed, we have conducted ongoing research and analysis to augment the original study, to maintain the housing markets intelligence and to ensure the evidence base is compliant with PPS3 and current guidance on Strategic Housing Market Assessments. We updated the housing needs model in 2008 and are now working on an up-to-date Strategic Housing Market Assessment that maximises the benefit of existing evidence and enhances it, where required, to ensure all Guidance Core Outputs are met.

In the last year we have also undertaken Strategic Housing Market Assessments and/or updates for councils in Central Lancashire (three authorities), North Lincolnshire, North-East Lincolnshire, Scottish Borders, Stratford-on-Avon and four of the six sub-regions (nineteen local authorities) in the West Midlands.

1. SHMA       2. Business Analysis       3. Housing Needs