To receive a summary of the key findings following the publication of the Herefordshire Housing Needs Assessment 2005 that has previously been circulated to Members for information.

THAT the findings, which will be used to influence relevant changes in planning policies to support future planning and financial grant applications for the provision of affordable housing across the County, be noted

The Housing Act 1985 S8 places a duty on the local Housing Authority to consider the housing conditions of their district and its needs with respect to the provision of further housing accommodation.  A Herefordshire Housing Needs Survey was published in 1999 and updated in 2001.  The 2005 assessment consolidates all surveys completed since local government reorganisation and includes various methods of assessment from tried and tested methodologies.

A desktop study is currently being undertaken to provide information for a local Housing Needs Assessment across Herefordshire using a variety of data from sources including the Census, waiting lists, voids etc.  It is important that robust housing need data is available to support policies for affordable housing development to ensure Herefordshire and its neighbouring authorities in the West Housing Market Area can attract regional funding for affordable housing developments.

It is hoped that this study can be rolled out across the West Housing Market area to assess needs in a more consistent manner.  This is only in its very early stages and the outcome of the initial work will need to be analysed.