Affordable Housing SPD

(1) Establishing Housing Need

Housing Need in Warwick District

Housing need in the district is evidenced by a number of different studies at sub-regional, district and parish levels, principally the Joint Strategic Housing Market Area (JSHMA) study, last updated in 2015. This Council is committed to updating its evidence base frequently, and this SPD will be updated with the most relevant evidence as and when it is available.

The adopted Local Plan was produced prior to the introduction of the Standard Methodology for establishing housing need. The Objectively Assessed Need (OAN) for housing established through the Local Plan is for a minimum of 16,776 dwellings over the plan period, of which 40% should be within the affordable housing categories.

The JSHMA proposed an affordable housing typology. However, given local expertise with regards to the desirability on 1 bed properties, this SPD varies that guidance with a more appropriate

mix of sizes to meet the needs of the district (see following chapter for further details).

Village / Parish Housing Needs Assessments

The Housing Assessment 2006 included a sample survey in the rural area as a whole but, due to the large number of small settlements and the small numbers of households, this sample was insufficient to be meaningful at parish level. However, the assessment did identify a clear need for affordable housing in the rural area generally.

A better way of estimating need in rural villages or parishes is to carry out a housing needs survey or assessment where every household receives a questionnaire. Some parishes carry this out as part of a wider Parish Plan survey. The Warwickshire Rural Housing Association also carries out such surveys on behalf of parishes where there is a prospect of providing affordable housing locally. The Council is able to advise as to whether such surveys have recently been carried out.

South Warwickshire Housing Market Area Gypsy and Traveller Accommodation Assessment

Gypsy and Traveller Accommodation is to be addressed in a dedicated Development Plan Document (DPD), as set out in the adopted Local Plan.