Housing needs

The Housing Strategy 2020 to 2036 states that a key strategic priority for the council is 'enabling every resident to have access to a home that meets their needs'.

As part of our strategic housing role, we must make sure that we understand our local housing markets, and plan for our current and future housing needs.

We collect and examine information about people's housing needs from a number of sources, including Strategic Housing Market Assessments, housing needs surveys and the Housing Register. We also look at local information on household incomes and how much each type of housing costs. Local housing needs surveys may be carried out in rural areas to identify housing needs in individual parishes.

All this information helps to inform our policies and understand the housing needs of local people better.
 

What are housing needs?

People's housing needs are defined by a number of factors, including where:

• there has been a change of circumstances (such as divorce, separation, death and/or family breakdown)
• there is over-crowding
• adult children are living with a parent
• an elderly parent lives with their children
• there is a need to live closer to work or family
• people are living in unsuitable conditions (such as disrepair or a lack of modern amenities)

Wanting to live independently, such as in sheltered accommodation, may also be considered a housing need, as well as a need for adapted accommodation for disabled people.