Applied Intelligence Briefing
Edge Analytics / Applied Intelligence BriefingCase study
Demographic evidence for housing and economic development needs assessment
Edge Analytics combined demographic, housing-market and economic evidence to support sustainable local planning and growth through a Housing and Economic Development Needs Assessment.
- Client
- Local authority
- Platforms
- VICUS Housing Needs Toolkit
- Scope
- Housing + employment
Integrated demographic evidence for sustainable plan-making
The business challenge
How much housing is needed - and how should it align with jobs?
Context
Local authorities must balance housing supply with job creation, ensuring businesses can access a local workforce while infrastructure, transport and public services keep pace. A HEDNA brings these linked questions together within National Planning Policy Framework and Planning Practice Guidance requirements.
Requirement
Apply standard Local Housing Need and affordability methods while assessing overall housing mix and the needs of specific groups, including older people, disabled people, families, renters and key workers.
Method
- 01
Demographic profile
Combined population and migration histories with ONS 2021 Census evidence on age, activity, commuting and migration.
- 02
Growth forecasting
Tested population and housing growth alongside labour-force and employment outcomes, including trend-, housing- and employment-led scenarios.
- 03
Housing requirements
Calculated affordable need and housing mix by tenure, bedroom and key groups, including students, older and disabled people, families, renters, self-builders and key workers.
Outputs & significance
Evidence for sustainable growth
15–20
Demographic profile
Combined 2021 Census evidence on age, economic activity, commuting and migration with population and migration histories.
Market and growth scenarios
Profiled development, house prices, vacancies and rents; tested trend-, housing- and employment-led growth.
Housing requirements
Estimated annual Local Housing Need over 15–20 years, affordable need, and bedroom, tenure and specialist-group requirements.
Significance
Housing need and economic growth are assessed together
The Housing Needs Toolkit brings demographic, market, labour-force and employment evidence into one compliant framework that can be refreshed as guidance, data and methods evolve.