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Housing Need in North Herts
Affordability and the Local Housing Market
The demand for housing in the district is high and market cost housing is increasingly out of reach for many households. Households who are without adequate housing and who cannot afford to buy or rent suitable housing in the open market are said to be in housing need. The Council is committed to meeting this housing need through the provision of affordable housing in the district.
You can find out more about affordable housing available in North Herts and how to apply for it on our Common Housing Register pages.
Housing Needs Surveys
In order to establish the extent of housing need in the district, the Council undertakes regular district wide surveys. These surveys also help us to make projections for the future.
The most recent housing needs survey was undertaken as part of a Strategic Housing Market Assessment which was completed in August 2008. A copy of this document can be downloaded below, along with copies of earlier housing needs studies.
Housing Needs Study 2002 (445 KB) 
Housing Needs Survey Update 2006 (191 KB)
North Hertfordshire & Stevenage Strategic Housing Market Assessment 2008 (1.64 MB)
The 2008 study estimated that a gross annual income of almost £30,000 is required to buy even the smallest of properties in the cheapest locations in North Hertfordshire. An estimated 1,460 households are currently in housing need - largely as a result of living in unsuitable acommodation - and cannot afford to meet their needs in the open market.
In addition, the study estimates that a large number of newly forming households will mean that over a further 1,000 households each year will fall into housing need. Taking into account the supply of affordable housing in the district, the survey concludes that there will be an overall annual shortfall of 642 affordable housing units.
Parish Housing Needs Surveys
The Council supplements data from the district wide housing needs surveys with more localised information from surveys carried out in individual parishes.
These are conducted in partnership with parish councils and the Countryside Development Agency's Rural Housing Enabler. Recommendations from the most recent surveys can be downloaded below.
Barley (12.6 KB)
Graveley (12.4 KB)
Great Ashby (13.5 KB)
Hexton (15.5 KB)
Knebworth (14.6 KB)
Lilley (12.4 KB)
Offley and Cockernhoe (12.7 KB)
Holwell (28.7 KB)
