Publisher's Synopsis
Assessments of local housing need are becoming increasingly common and, indeed, most new developments either in policy or on the ground will have been informed in some way by a piece of needs research. However, not all needs identified in such assessments lead to any action on the ground or to a positive response from local policy makers. This study extends our understanding of both the organisation of needs assessments and their role in the broader processes of policy development and service planning. Drawing on a series of case studies of local housing needs assessments supported by the Housing Associations Charitable Trust in recent years, the study examines the focus of needs research, who conducts the work and the main methods used, the main audience and the impact of the work. The report concludes that there is scope for improving the effectiveness and impact of needs research by considering and supporting other elements - such as the framing of recommendations and the resources for implementation - in broader processes of policy development and service change. The report develops a series of good practice pointers, which will be of interest and relevance to both practitioners and the funders of needs research.
