26 JUNE 2006 - YOU only have to scan the property pages or glance in an estate agent's window to realise that the lack of affordable housing for local people is one of the biggest housing problems facing the Harrogate district.  That is why providing affordable homes continues to be one of Harrogate Borough Council's top priorities. 

 

But anecdotal evidence of housing need has to be backed up with hard evidence if the council is to be successful in securing external funding to provide more affordable homes.  That is why the council carries out regular housing need surveys.

 

It has recently commissioned David Cumberland Housing Regeneration Ltd to carry out the latest comprehensive survey to assess how much affordable housing is needed.

 

Councillor Jean Butterfield, Cabinet Member for Housing,  said:  "This sample survey will provide us with the evidence we need to help us secure funding for affordable housing across the district.  The survey will also explore issues such as the needs of older people, housing size and preferred type of homes and what is needed in the way of adaptations and other support.  Your views are important to us and we hope households which do receive a questionnaire will take just a few minutes to complete it and return it to us free of charge.  The findings will help to improve housing for all residents in the district."

 

Over the next few weeks, the questionnaire will be delivered to all households in rural areas and a selection of households in Harrogate, Knaresborough and Ripon.  This is a postal questionnaire only and residents needn't be concerned that someone will call at their property.  ENDS