This thesis examines the housing market, focusing upon the manner in which housing strategies are formulated by local authorities. The case for housing strategies which examine the needs and demands of all housing tenures has been recognised since 1977. At that time, the introduction of Housing Investment Programme and Strategies attempted to focus local housing policy and production in a strategic manner but since then the strategic policy elements have been continuously eroded. Moreover, since 1977 the housing market has changed considerably. The situation that exists at present is one where speculative housebuilders produce most new housing supply, whilst social housing is now largely provided by housing associations, rather than by local authorities. Now would appear to be an opportune time to reexamine the formulation of housing strategies, with a view to producing a strategy which is more attuned to the needs and demands of the housing market in the 1990s. This study investigates the manner in which the local authority may produce housing strategies which are more structured to the housing production processes of the 1990s. In so doing, it focuses upon three main areas. Firstly, the manner in which the housing market requires an integrated overall approach towards housing provision. In practical terms, this would lead local authorities to attempt to integrate, within an enabling context, the roles of the housing and planning departments. Secondly, as the private sector is responsible for most new housing supply, it is important that it is more closely integrated in policy formulation. This thesis suggests that greater co-ordination between the agency of enablement (local authorities) and the agency of implementation (housebuilders) should ensure that policies are more likely to be realised. The third area examined is the degree to which a local authority can gain a better understanding of local housing markets to ensure that more effective local housing strategies are developed.