Assessment of Local Housing Strategies
A Fit for Purpose Local Housing Strategy
1.15 A fit for purpose LHS will:
Have effective links with other plans and strategies;
Be based on a robust analysis of local housing markets;
Propose actions which are appropriate, prioritised and deliverable;
Make clear how resources will be sourced and used;
Be based on an effective process for developing and delivering the strategy;
Have a suitable monitoring and evaluation framework for measuring progress and outcomes;
Be well presented and communicated.
Assessment process
1.16 The assessment of Local Housing Strategies will be based on the following general criteria:
1. Strategy presentation and communication
2. Partnership working and strategy process
3. Wider priorities and links with other plans and strategies
4. Market analysis, needs assessment and problem identification:
a) Housing market general
b) Private sector
c) Social rented sector
d) Particular needs
5. Priorities, options and actions
6. Resourcing
7. Monitoring and evaluation
1.17 In addition, in future years a further criterion relating to the delivery of LHS will be added. The detailed interpretation of these general criteria will be based on answers to a number of specific questions. Local authorities are encouraged, as part of the LHS process, to use these criteria as a tool for self-assessment.
1.18 Local authorities must, when required to do so, submit their LHS to Scottish Ministers. On the basis that LHS should be five year documents it is anticipated that the next round of LHS submissions will be required in 2009.
1.19 Communities Scotland will continue to assess LHS on behalf of Scottish Ministers and will provide feedback to local authorities. The feedback will allow for areas of good practice to be shared and for areas for improvement to be identified. The full assessment criteria and guide to the assessment process are available from the Communities Scotland website.
