Applied Intelligence Briefing
Edge Analytics / Applied Intelligence BriefingCase study
Evidence for Housing Needs Analysis
Edge Analytics uses its VICUS Housing Needs Toolkit to deliver policy-aligned evidence on local housing need, affordability and housing mix.
- Users
- Planning authorities
- Toolkit
- VICUS - Housing Needs
- Purpose
- Policy evidence
Demographic, market and socioeconomic evidence translated into local housing requirements
The business challenge
What homes are needed, for whom - and how should that need shape local policy?
Context
Housing Needs Assessments must follow the National Planning Policy Framework and Planning Practice Guidance while addressing affordability, housing mix and the needs of groups including older people, families, renters, key workers and people with disabilities.
Requirement
Produce policy-compliant evidence for overall housing need, affordable housing, housing mix and specific-group requirements.
Method
- 01
Demographic evidence
Combined population and migration histories, official statistics and forecasts for the local area.
- 02
Need + affordability
Applied prescribed Local Housing Need methods and estimated affordable rental and ownership need.
- 03
Housing mix
Assessed bedrooms, property type, tenure and the requirements of specific population groups.
Outputs & significance
Housing need becomes policy-ready
15–20
Annual requirement
Estimated housing units required each year across a 15–20-year planning horizon.
Recommended mix
Specified an evidence-led housing mix across property size, type and tenure.
Life-stage need
Identified accommodation options that can better serve older people and release family-sized homes.
Significance
Need is more than a single number
The Toolkit connected regulatory methods with local demographic and market evidence, creating a transparent basis for policy and delivery.