Monitoring Housing Needs

The Council has to consider many factors when assessing what housing is needed and where. Research is carried out to identify local housing need and to explore the best way to make use of limited resources. There are various research methods adopted by the Council to help identify need.

The Housing Needs Register

The Council has a duty to hold a register of applicants for housing, which is operated by Westlea Housing Association. This information reveals how many households in need are actively seeking accommodation in an area. This helps to direct the Council's housing development strategy.

Local Housing Needs Surveys

For more detailed information the Council carries out a rolling programme of Local Housing Need Surveys in parishes across the District. These involve questionnaires posted to households in an area, asking for information on re-housing requirements, household composition, income etc. The results of these surveys are then cross-referenced with other indicators to help verify housing need for both rent and sale.

If you would like to view the most recent parish survey reports please visit www.intelligencenetwork.org.uk and enter 'needs survey' in the search facility. This will allow you to access full Local Housing Need reports for all parishes surveyed since 2001.

District Wide Housing Need Surveys

In 2004 the Council commissioned a full District Wide Housing Needs Survey which indicates the general area of housing need across the District. You can view the completed survey report by clicking on the link below.

District Wide Housing Needs Survey Report 2005 (PDF 5990 Kb)

Housing Market Assessment

The Housing Market Assessment was completed in November 2006. The purpose of this assessment is to provide an overview of the housing market in the Swindon sub-region in order to inform housing and planning polices, and broader regeneration and economic development initiatives. Please click on the link below for access to the full version of the report and access to the summary report.

Local Development Framework Studies

Wiltshire & Swindon Gypsy and Traveller Accommodation Needs Assessment 2006

In February 2006 the five Wiltshire councils and Swindon Borough Council comissioned David Couttie Associates to carry out a Sub-Regional study of the accommodation needs and aspirations of Gypsies and Travellers living on authorised and unauthorised sites and in bricks and mortar accommodation. In total, 170 interviews were achieved with the Gypsy and Traveller Community. A copy of the final report is now available below.

Wiltshire & Swindon GTAA 2006 (PDF 1.3 Mb)