Objective Housing Needs Survey (FOI)

Request

Former Deputy Anne Pryke commissioned an Objective Housing Needs Survey (OHNS) by ARC4 in early 2018 with the objective of a report being available late May or early June, to date the OHNS report has still not been delivered despite a number of requests to the Strategic Housing Unit, and the current housing Minister. Undertakings were given for an early release, however only a draft synopsis was made available to me in early June 2018 with a promise of publication 15 September 2018 when the States resumed its sittings. This did not occur and other undertakings for publication were made by the Housing Minister in person for publication by end of 2018 and despite further emails publication has still not occurred.

How many departments have 'fact checked' the ONHS report, how long has each department held the draft report, have any substantive changes to the draft OHNS report been made including details of any changes made.

Response

The Objective Assessment of Housing Need Report (“the OAHNR”) was received on 26 June 2018 and the draft report was reviewed over the summer months. It was discussed between the Minister for Children and Housing and officers on 17 September 2018.

A presentation was provided by ARC4 (the consultant firm responsible for the report) to the Minister for Children and Housing, Minister for Planning and Environment and Assistant Chief Minister on 25 and 26 October 2018.

The final version of the OAHNR was submitted by arc4 on Thursday 15 November. The report was presented to the Corporate Strategy Board on Tuesday 27 November 2018 and then to the Council of Ministers on Monday 17 December 2018 (postponed from the 12 December meeting).

The OAHNR will be published on 24 January 2019 following a States Members briefing on the same day.

There have not been any substantive changes to the OAHNR.