Region presses ahead with huge survey on housing need

THE largest ever survey on housing needs in North Yorkshire is to be launched this month despite an estimated 50 per cent budget cut in central government funding for schemes across the county over the next four years.
By The Newsroom
Published 20th Jan 2011, 17:08 BST
Updated 20th Jan 2011, 17:09 BST

More than 160,000 homes will be targeted for the survey, which aims to address all aspects of housing including affordable homes, supported living for elderly and vulnerable people, the open market of homes for sale and rent and to determine areas where future projects are delivered.

There is a critical need for more affordable housing across the county and with the North Yorkshire Housing Board expecting a budget cut from 60m over the previous four years to 30m to cover schemes until 2015, the survey hopes to find how it can best be addressed.

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Coun Richard Foster, chair of the housing board, said: "We need to understand what type of housing North Yorkshire people require now and in the future, so we can plan properly to meet that need.

"By working together we can not only get that better understanding but save a considerable amount of money.

"Housing markets and communities' housing aspirations don't follow local council boundaries and that is why all the housing authorities in North Yorkshire are joining forces in the biggest piece of housing research ever undertaken in the region.

"We urge people to complete the survey – the information we get from local people is the best way to make sure we get our housing plans and planning decisions in our local areas right."

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The survey is being sent to every home in rural communities and a sample in larger towns and cities and is also available online.

It will look at how people might expect to live in the future, the changes in population, household formations and developments in the local economy.

In addition to the survey, specialists will also be carrying out a comprehensive assessment of the housing markets across North Yorkshire consulting with estate and land agents, planners, housebuilders and housing associations to come up with conclusions about what sort of homes are needed to be built in the county in the future.

To take part in the survey or for more information visit www.housingneedsurvey-nyshp.co.uk.

RICHARD FOSTER: 'We need to understand what type of housing people require'.

Related topics:North Yorkshire