Strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats drawn from the available evidence. These are analytical judgements, not an official council assessment. Where a national comparison is available, lower housing costs, lower reported poor health and higher qualification shares are treated as relative strengths; this does not prove affordability or service quality.
Strengths
strength
Bring support closer to people in poor health
5.1% of people reported bad or very bad health in Brighton and Hove council area (21 March 2021). Across England, the figure was 5.2%. People reporting bad or very bad health ranged from 3% in Westdene & Hove Park to 8.4% in Whitehawk & Marina — a gap of 5.4 percentage points.
This is how residents described their health in the census. It can reveal differences between neighbourhoods, but does not diagnose illness or measure current waiting times. Age profiles differ between places, so these shares do not measure service quality.
What could help →strength
Connect local skills to local opportunities
44.5% of people aged 16 or over had a degree or equivalent (21 March 2021) in Brighton and Hove council area. Across England, the figure was 33.9%. People aged 16+ with no qualifications ranged from 5.8% in Round Hill to 23.6% in Whitehawk & Marina — a gap of 17.8 percentage points.
Qualifications show one part of the skills available locally. They do not show whether people have secure jobs or work that uses those skills.
What could help →Weaknesses
weakness
Make room for homes people can afford
Average private rent is £1,808 a month (August 2026) in Brighton and Hove council area. This is £349 higher than the England average for the same month. Homes rented privately ranged from 12.4% in Woodingdean to 61.3% in Regency — a gap of 48.9 percentage points.
Housing costs matter most alongside earnings and the number of affordable homes available. A local average cannot tell us whether a particular household can afford its home.
What could help →Opportunities
opportunity
Make Madeira Terrace restoration deliver usable access
Madeira Terrace restoration includes a lift, repaired ironwork and additional testing of original structural material.
Proposed response: Keep accessible access and safe reopening visible alongside the conservation work.
What could help →opportunity
Plan homes and care around an older population
14.1% of people in Brighton and Hove council area were aged 65 or over (21 March 2021). People aged 65 or over ranged from 7.3% in Hanover & Elm Grove to 28.9% in Rottingdean & West Saltdean — a gap of 21.6 percentage points.
Age alone does not mean poor health or a need for care. Accessible homes, reliable transport and support close to home matter as people get older.
What could help →opportunity
Target safety work where problems repeat
Mapped police records are available for neighbourhoods in Brighton and Hove council area.
Published locations are approximate and some crimes are not mapped. Counts show recorded incidents, not the chance of an individual becoming a victim.
What could help →opportunity
Turn published plans into visible progress
3 named local projects or plans have official evidence in this collection.
A published plan makes responsibilities and intentions easier to inspect. It does not prove that funding is secured or that promised benefits have arrived.
What could help →opportunity
Target support where disadvantages overlap
Households facing two or more measured disadvantages ranged from 9% in Westdene & Hove Park to 33.6% in Coldean & Stanmer — a gap of 24.6 percentage points.
These households met at least two census conditions covering education, employment, health and housing. This is not an income or poverty measure.
What could help →Threats
threat
Help households move safely before rebuilding the blocks
Replacing eight blocks requires a rehousing programme as well as construction decisions.
Proposed response: Give every affected household a clear route to suitable housing and support through the move.
Evidence 1 · Evidence 2
What could help →Which response goes with each issue?
How the evidence connects to a proposed response and reviewed local work| Evidence and response | Who could lead | Related published plans |
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| Make Madeira Terrace restoration deliver usable accessMadeira Terrace restoration: Restoration work in progress at the dated update. See the dated project evidence. | Brighton and Hove City Council | |
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| Help households move safely before rebuilding the blocksMarch 2026: replacement and rehousing policy agreed. November masterplan decision remains pending on the checked record. | Brighton & Hove City Council | |
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| Make room for homes people can affordAverage private rent is £1,808 a month (August 2026) in Brighton and Hove council area. Homes rented privately ranged from 12.4% in Woodingdean to 61.3% in Regency — a gap of 48.9 percentage points. 21 March 2021; 23 of 23 current wards have comparable figures. | The housing and planning authorities, housing associations and developers | |
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| Plan homes and care around an older population14.1% aged 65 or over; 21 March 2021. People aged 65 or over ranged from 7.3% in Hanover & Elm Grove to 28.9% in Rottingdean & West Saltdean — a gap of 21.6 percentage points. 21 March 2021; 23 of 23 current wards have comparable figures. | Adult social care, local health services, housing providers and transport authorities | |
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| Bring support closer to people in poor health5.1% reporting bad or very bad health; 21 March 2021. People reporting bad or very bad health ranged from 3% in Westdene & Hove Park to 8.4% in Whitehawk & Marina — a gap of 5.4 percentage points. 21 March 2021; 23 of 23 current wards have comparable figures. | Local health services, public health teams, employers and community organisations | |
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| Connect local skills to local opportunities44.5% with a degree or equivalent; 21 March 2021. People aged 16+ with no qualifications ranged from 5.8% in Round Hill to 23.6% in Whitehawk & Marina — a gap of 17.8 percentage points. 21 March 2021; 23 of 23 current wards have comparable figures. | Employers, colleges, universities and the relevant skills authority | No reviewed project is linked yet. This remains a proposal, with funding and delivery to establish. |
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| Target safety work where problems repeatUse the dated, complete periods shown in Crime and safety; keep anti-social behaviour separate. | The local police force, council community safety team and relevant services | No reviewed project is linked yet. This remains a proposal, with funding and delivery to establish. |
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| Target support where disadvantages overlapHouseholds facing two or more measured disadvantages ranged from 9% in Westdene & Hove Park to 33.6% in Coldean & Stanmer — a gap of 24.6 percentage points. 21 March 2021; 23 of 23 wards. | The council's housing, public health and employment teams, with local services | |
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