A FRST funded research project aimed at reducing serious housing need in rural and urban communities. Over crowding, homelessness, and physically inadequate houses are associated with poor socio-economic outcomes, placing families and communities at risk. Communities in serious housing need often face multiple problems - unemployment, drug abuse, violence, welfare dependency. This research asks how housing need in these communities can be addressed in socially, environmentally and fiscally sustainable ways. The research explores dynamics of serious housing need in rural and urban disadvantaged communities through:

1. analysis of selected official statistics
2. occupant and house condition surveys
3. building cost analysis
4. analysis of socio-economic and cultural dynamics of housing consumption.

To determine sustainable housing strategies most likely to stimulate local economies, enhance skill and training, and contribute to community integration and well-being rather than exacerbate individual and community dependency, the research will also:

1. develop and apply a Housing Sustainability Continuum to housing strategies
   
2. catalogue self-build and self-help community-based housing initiatives in NZ since 1986
   
3. identify the social, policy, economic and technological conditions optimising the community benefits of addressing housing need.