The Housing Delivery Test (HDT) was introduced by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) in 2018 as a way for central government to monitor local authorities and other stakeholders in their role in ensuring new homes are delivered.
The HDT assesses the number of homes built in the City over the previous three years and compares these against nationally set housing requirements (standard method). The 2023 HDT results were published by the Government in December 2024. Over the three-year period covered by the HDT (2020/21-2022/23), the Council delivered 584 new homes, which represents 26% of the Government target of 2,248 new homes for the period.
As such and in line with national planning policy, the Council has proactively prepared a HDT Action Plan (HDT AP) for 2024-2025. The HDT AP identifies the actions we are taking to increase and maintain delivery levels. This includes, but is not limited to, updates to the Housing Economic Land Availability Assessment (HELAA), Development Management (DM) performance drives, an updated Interim Nutrient Neutral Mitigation Strategy and continuing progress on the emerging Portsmouth Local Plan.