Strategic Housing Market Assessment

In July 2007, the West Housing Market Area Partnership (WHMAP) Commissioned Outside to undertake a comprehensive Strategic Housing Market Assessment to:

• contribute to the forthcoming RSS 'partial review' and the Comprehensive Spending Review 2007
• inform Local Development Framework requirements and local and regional Housing Strategies
• inform the Sub Regional Housing Strategy for the West Housing Market Area

The Strategic Housing Market Assessment provides a detailed sub-regional market analysis of housing demand and housing need, identifying the key drivers in the West Housing Market Area. In addition it provides a robust evidence base for current and future requirements in terms of market and affordable housing to inform local policies and strategies.

Gypsy and Traveller Accommodation Assessment

The Gypsy and Traveller Accommodation Needs Assessment was commissioned by the Shropshire and Herefordshire Housing Officers Group (SHHOG) and took place during 2007 covering the area of Herefordshire, Shropshire, Powys, Telford and Wrekin.

The objective of the study was to:

• quantify the need for Gypsies and Travellers accommodation in terms of

  1.  site accommodation on private sites (owned or rented)

  2.  site accommodation on socially rented residential sites

  3.  site accommodation on transit sites

  4.  bricks and mortar housing for owner-occupation

  5.  affordable bricks and mortar housing

• establish the suitability of the above
• quantify the unmet housing support needs of Gypsies and Travellers in respect of service to enable them to maintain their accommodation in transitional periods
• identify the unmet need for Gypsy and Traveller access to wider service provision, including health and education.

The recommendations of the Assessment are being taken forward by the Housing Needs of Gypsy and Travellers Working Group.  For more information, please contact the Housing Needs and Development Team on 01432 260269 or enablinggeneral@herefordshire.gov.uk