Housing Statistics

Welcome to Housing Services performance page. We aim to provide feedback and information to you on our performance in a range of areas.

How is the service performing? see the Audit Commision's Value for Money assessment

Housing Register

Number of households on the housing register as at the 31st March each year

You can apply online at the Hart Homes website. If you need any more information on the Housing Register process please see the Housing Register section of this website.

Homelessness- Performance
The following information details Hart District Councils performance on Homelessness

Number of households given housing advice as at the 31st March each year

This chart demonstrates that number of people approaching the service for advice has increased dramatically over the past 4 years.

Number of homelessness acceptances as at the 31st March each year

Although the number of people approaching the service has increased, the number of homelessness acceptances has decreased. This reduction is as a result of the early intervention in potential homelessness situations and the range of preventative options being offered.

Number of applicants with a homelessness duty owed in temporary accommodation as at the 31st March each year

The number of households in temporary accommodation has reduced over the past 4 years. The main reason for this reduction is the increased prevention activity by the team and provision of realistic alternatives to temporary accommodation. The Council received congratulations from the CLG that the temporary accommodation target for the end of 2010 had already been achieved.

Number of applicants in bed and breakfast as at the 31st March each year

Hart District Council only use B&B in exceptional circumstances and has managed to keep the use of this emergency accommodation at a minimum. For further information regarding homelessness please see the Homelessness section of this website.

Development-Performance
The following information provides details of our performance in the development and provision of affordable housing.

Housing needs figures from surveys carried out in 2003, 2005, 2008

Authorities are required to carry out a Housing Needs survey to identify the shortage of affordable homes in their areas. Hart DC carried out a full survey in 2003, an update in 2005 and another full survey on 2008. for more information see the Strategic Housing Market Assessment (SHMA) section The figures show a requirement for over 400 affordable houses to be developed each year in order to meet the need in the district, acknowledging that this is an infeasible target and the fluctuations in delivery, Hart aims to deliver an average of 80 affordable properties over any 3 year period.

Number of new affordable housing properties delivered as at the 31st March each year

The number of affordable properties in 2004/5 was exceptionally high mainly due to the provision at the Elvetham Heath development. The Thames Valley Special Protection Area has prevented a number of developments from being approved recently as well as the downturn in the housing market. It is expected that delivery will pick up again in 2010/11 with developments such as Hitches Lane, Fleet and Campbell Close, Fleet starting on site in 2009/10

Number of affordable housing properties let each year as at the 31st March each year

For further information on the Housing needs Survey and Development issues please see www.hart.gov.uk/housing

Audit Commision Inspection

The Affordable Housing Service was inspected in March 2006 and a report published in August 2006. The inspection found a number of strengths about the services

• The Council has delivered a high level of affordable homes over the past three years and affordable housing options have been expanded for home seekers.
• The homelessness service has improved with a reduced level of homeless acceptances in 2005/06. In 2004/05 it was within the best 25 per cent performers in the areas of average number of weeks spent by homeless families in propriety need in temporary accommodation, and the reduction in the number of families placed in temporary accommodation.
• The service areas of planning and housing benefit have made significant performance improvements, and the Council has accessed government funding to assist this process.
• A clearer aligned framework is in place to deliver the Council’s aims, through the development of the corporate plan, housing strategy and service plans.

The inspection team found the service to be fair but with uncertain prospects for improvement

The following documents are available for further information

• The Audit Commission Local Authority Housing Inspection Report  for Hart District Council
• Hart District Council's Response to the Inspection Report
• The Action Plan that has been produced as a result