DCA provides high quality services to Local Authorities to support their enabling role and the major operational changes taking place in housing strategy formation, in the development of local planning policies, and in the provision of robust and defensible data to set targets for affordable housing on private development sites.

We have conducted over 230 District-wide assessments of current and projected housing needs to inform housing, planning and care strategies for over 190 local authorities in England.

We have also conducted over 40 Mid-life 'Desk' Update reports both for existing clients to keep their study up-to-date and for new clients to update the findings of studies undertaken by a different consultant.

We are asked to fully update many of our District-wide Housing Needs Surveys, and approached by new clients to conduct studies, without being required to tender, which we believe reflects the recognised high quality of our work.

DCA always adopt a project specific methodology to address the objectives and individual needs of the client in the most cost effective and statistically sound basis, providing a wealth of data upon which the Council can rely and use to satisfactorily inform both housing and planning strategies. Our methodology follows the DETR (now CLG) Good Practice Guidance, to which we contributed as it was developed.

As the leading provider of Housing Needs Assessments in the South East region, with surveys completed for over three quarters of Authorities, we were also involved in the Review of Guidance for the South East published by SEERA in January 2004, which followed the DCA definition of affordable housing.

Ultimately quality and validity are the most critical issues and our professional team of senior experienced researchers and practitioners have a proven track record in housing surveys to achieve these objectives.

If you would like further information about any of the services we provide, we would be happy to assist you. Please click here to contact us for more information, or for an informal discussion about your requirements.