Affordable Housing Needs Assessments
What Is an Affordable Housing Needs Assessment?
An Affordable Housing Needs Assessment (AHNA) can provide an important understanding of the need for more affordable homes to be delivered at a number of scales i.e the District/Borough level and/or specific Wards(s) level. Whether it's for a planning application, or to support the promotion of a site(s) hrough an emerging Local Plan, our assessments can ensure that decision making is rooted in robust data and local context.
At Boyer, we specialise in tailored AHNAs which can help the delivery of inclusive places that respond to real needs.
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Why Choose Boyer
Our multi-disciplinary team brings planning expertise, analytical rigour and sector insight into every assessment.
- Planning Policy Expertise: In-depth knowledge of the national and local framework, including the NPPF and Planning Practice Guidance.
- Tailored, Data-Rich Analysis: Using a mix of demographic trends, housing register data, market (private and rental) signals and SHMA data to deliver specific insight.
- Strategic, Actionable Recommendations: Clear outputs that can support planning applications and local plan promotion(s).
Our Approach
We take a structured, evidence-led approach to every AHNA, ensuring consistency, clarity and compliance.
Our four-step process:
- Inital Scoping: Understanding your site, objectives and relevant policy context.
- Data Collection and Analysis: Drawing on national datasets (Census, NOMIS, HSSA) alongside local housing registers and affordability metrics.
- Assessment and Recommendations: Providing objective and clear conclusions on affordable housing needs.
- Planning Support: Delivering evidence for planning applications and local plan site promotion.
Section 4: Related Services
Our AHNA work often feeds into our wider planning works. We also provide:
Section 5: Speak to Our Team
If you’re looking to assess affordable housing needs for your site or strategy, we’re here to help.