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 problems facing the Yorkshire Dales - and the popular spa town of Harrogate and its surrounding areas are no different.

Harrogate looks to affordable housing funding

In common with local authorities across the Dales, increasing the provision of affordable homes continues to be one of Harrogate Borough Council's top priorities. But, whether we locals know there is a problem or not, that anecdotal evidence of housing need has to be backed up with hard evidence if the council is to be successful in securing funding to provide more affordable homes for local people.

Funding for affordable housing provision is available from a number of sources, including central government and the second-home council tax levy.

To address the need for hard data, the authority carries out regular housing need surveys and has now commissioned the Warrington based company David Cumberland Housing Regeneration to carry out the latest comprehensive survey to assess how much affordable housing is needed.

"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," said Councillor Jean Butterfield, Cabinet Member for Housing.

"This sample survey will provide us with the evidence we need to help us secure funding for affordable housing across the district.

This sample survey will provide us with the evidence we need to help us secure funding for affordable housing across the district

Jean Butterfield - Harrogate Borough Councillor

"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.

"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.

Bosses at the council are stressing that this is a postal questionnaire only and residents needn't be concerned that someone will call at their property.

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