Strategic Housing Market Assessment

North Hertfordshire District Council is seeking to appoint a suitably qualified and experience Consultant to undertake a Strategic Housing Market Assessment (SHMA).

The primary objective of the SHMA is to provide a robust and comprehensive evidence base to support the emerging Local Plan. The study should:

• Evaluate the Current Housing Market: Analyse market dynamics and affordability trends within North Hertfordshire.
• Review Demographic and Household Projections: Examine population projections and household composition over the plan period.
• Establish Future Housing Needs: Identify current and projected housing demand, including an assessment of housing mix by size, type, and tenure.
• Assess Affordable Housing Requirements: Determine the need for affordable housing, including appropriate tenures, dwelling types, and unit sizes.
• Identify Needs of Specific Groups: Consider the housing requirements of distinct groups of people such as families with children, older people, individuals with disabilities, and others with specialist housing need.
• Identify any key variations within the District: Recognise there are different markets and needs across North Hertfordshire reflecting local characteristics and proximity to key settlements beyond North Hertfordshire’s boundaries such as Luton, Stevenage and Cambridge.

The SHMA must be consistent with requirements set out in the Government’s National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) and Planning Practice Guidance (PPG) and any updates as appropriate.

The Consultants may optionally be required to attend the Examination in Public.