Affordable housing is broadly defined as housing of reasonable quality that is affordable to people on modest incomes.
In some places the market can provide some or all of the affordable housing that is needed. In other places it is necessary to make housing available at a cost below market value, to meet housing needs.
The main ways affordable housing is provided are through:
- social rented property, available from either a local authority or a housing association;
- low-cost housing for home ownership; and
- some private sector rented accommodation, available at lower cost than market rents.
So 'affordable housing' includes both housing in the social rented sector and housing for low cost owner occupation.
This section provides information about: