Strategic Development Modelling

Developing good quality affordable housing has never been an easy option. However, the current climate has thrown up new hurdles, forcing providers to consider adopting radical new approaches to the provision of social housing. The landscape is shifting as each month the coalition government builds on its concepts of the ‘Big Society’, ‘Fairness’ and ‘Localism’ to produce more angles to old dilemmas. The whole picture has not yet emerged and there are few, if any, examples yet of on the ground practice and delivery under the new mandates and mantras.

arc⁴ in partnership with Sasha Deepwell have the expertise and ability to assist with strategic thinking and with designing delivery solutions to support local authorities, housing associations and other providers to develop new affordable homes. The team have not only delivered a range of complex development programmes in urban, rural and town settings but bring a wealth of strategic development thinking to the table.

In particular, we offer:

Market assessments – local housing market analysis; housing demand studies
Development strategy – what to deliver and how to achieve it
Programme and project assessments – working up viable opportunities
Development modelling – funding streams, rents, ongoing viability modelling
Partnership development – designing and delivering effective partnerships
Customer insight – projecting demand; making best use of in-house assets
Innovations – new thinking to support the new climate

Our team will identify the issues – national, local, short, long term. We can analyse the market, including affordability, carry out options appraisal through modelling and understand what is, and what is not, economic. Our ideas and recommendations will look at schemes, programmes and even your future strategy for development.

We can offer a wide range of possible outputs:

Assessing the viability of specific sites;
Assessing additional subsidy that might be needed and aid grant applications;
Considering variable tenure mixes;
Considering a wide range of sensitivities;
Making recommendations for strategy;
Giving you a starting point for considering whether existing policies or strategies are ‘fit for purpose’ in the new world;
Aiding business plan decisions to help access private finance;
Helping target products to need and demand in an area;
Considering the effects of different rental levels;
Informing board reports to be more focussed and informed (and for reports to members);
Helping update your evidence base for Examination in Public (supporting policy).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, CONTACT Gaynor Asquith – 07889755637