Affordable Housing

Affordable housing is housing for sale or rent for people whose needs are not met by the market, provided on terms set by planning policy. It typically includes social rent, affordable rent, shared ownership and discounted market sale. The exact definitions differ by nation: England's are in the National Planning Policy Framework, and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland set their own.

The council, the housing association or other provider, and the rules of the particular scheme. Eligibility usually depends on household income, housing need and sometimes a local connection to the area. Land to Homes does not decide eligibility or allocate homes. If you are interested, contact your local council's housing team and housing associations working in the area.

Shared ownership lets you buy a share of a home, usually with a mortgage, and pay rent to the housing provider on the remaining share. You can normally buy further shares over time, which is known as staircasing. Schemes and rules differ by nation and by provider, so check the details and take independent legal and financial advice before committing.

Social rent is the lowest-cost rented housing, with rents in England set using a government formula and kept low by policy or regulation elsewhere. Affordable rent, used mainly in England, is set by reference to local market rents and is usually higher than social rent. Both are let by councils and registered providers to eligible households.

Discounted market sale homes are sold below market value to eligible buyers, with the discount secured by a planning obligation so that it usually passes on to future buyers too. They are used mainly in England. Eligibility and the size of the discount are set by the council's policy and the planning agreement, not by the developer.

Usually through planning. The council's development plan sets out how much affordable housing a scheme should provide, and the commitment is secured in a planning obligation. The developer builds the homes and transfers them to a registered provider at a price that reflects their affordable status, sometimes supported by public grant. The provider then lets or sells them.

Yes, but registering with us is not an application and does not affect eligibility. If a site we bring forward includes affordable homes, we will tell you which council or housing provider is responsible so you can apply through them. You should also register directly with your council and with housing associations in the area.

It usually affects value, because affordable homes are transferred to a provider for less than open market homes would sell for. The council's affordable housing policy, and other planning obligations, are among the costs a buyer allows for when valuing land. Our free site appraisal explains how these factors apply to your site.