A housing needs survey is to be undertaken during January 2004 as part of an ongoing commitment to help meet the need for more affordable housing in Shrewsbury & Atcham. The Survey has been jointly commissioned and funded by and Shrewsbury and Atcham Borough Council and various Housing Associations.
The lack of affordable housing is one of the most pressing issues facing many people within the borough and the Council has set an ambitious target to add at least 100 affordable new homes each year to the housing stock.
Housing and Community Regeneration Manager Andy Goldsmith says
"If we are to achieve this target, we need local people to tell us their present and future housing requirements so we can negotiate with private developers to provide these much needed homes and defend planning policies that require affordable housing to be built."
Cllr Mrs Judith Williams, Portfolio holder for housing says
"We need to ensure there is adequate housing provision for local people to rent or buy, whatever their financial means. The survey is not just about people seeking housing association homes. We are particularly interested in doing more to help young people who want to set up their own home in the Borough."
A questionnaire is being sent to 9,600 randomly selected households throughout the Borough and will include homeowners, people who rent privately and tenants of housing associations. It is designed to build a comprehensive picture of both current and future housing needs within Shrewsbury and Atcham. The Council is urging people to respond to the survey and Cllr Mrs Williams adds
"We encourage everyone who receives a questionnaire to complete and return the form. What local people have to say, regardless of whether their current housing needs are being met or not, is extremely relevant and will assist the Council greatly as it shapes its long term housing strategy and planning policies."
The housing needs survey is being undertaken on the Councils behalf by David Couttie Associates (DCA), an independent company specialising in housing research. Questionnaires are due to be issued on Friday 16th January 2004 with a return date of Wednesday 4th February 2004. All responses will be treated in the strictest confidence with no prospect of the Council identifying individual people or properties from the data supplied. Anyone who would like more information on completing the questionnaires should contact Deborah Judson, Housing Assistant at the Council on 281149.
The results of the survey will be available in the Summer and will be posted on the Borough Councils website at www.shrewsbury.gov.uk.
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