Housing Needs Assessment 2006 - Westminster City Council

Westminster – Housing Needs Assessment 2006Reason for movingTable 4.14 Reasons for moving home% of householdsTo live closer to employment or other essential facilities 34.1%End of tenancy agreement 18.9%To move to a different neighbourhood 9.5%Previous home lacked adequate facilities 7.0%To live independently 6.0%To move to a better environment 5.8%You were the victim of harassment 5.7%Was moved by the Local Authority 5.4%Previous home was too small 5.0%Relationship breakdown 3.8%To move to cheaper accommodation 3.6%Relatives/friends unable/unwilling to accommodate 3.4%To be in a school catchment area 3.2%Wanted to move to a larger home 2.7%To move to live with partner 2.5%Evicted/repossessed 2.4%Previous home was unsuitable for a family 2.3%To get on to the property ladder 2.0%Previous home was too big 1.3%Previous home was in poor condition 1.2%Previous home was difficult to maintain 1.1%Access problems (e.g. steps, stairs) 0.8%Wanted to move to a smaller home 0.4%Other 20.2%Source: City of Westminster Housing Needs Survey 20064.8 Future moves – existing householdsIn addition to looking at past moves, the survey questionnaire collected information abouthouseholds’ future needs, expectations and aspirations. This information is particularly important inthe ‘Balancing Housing Markets’ exercise carried out later in this report.The table below shows estimates of the number and proportion of households who need or expect tomove home over the next two years by tenure. The data shows that around 24.4% of householdsstate a need or likelihood of moving home over the next two years. Households living in the privaterented sector are particularly likely to be future movers.PAGE 46