Affordable Housing

• Affordable Housing is subsidised housing which is made available to those who cannot afford to rent or buy a property on the open market.
• It can be provided by an organisation such as a Housing Association, to meet various levels of housing need.  It is offered in a range of property types to meet identified needs.
• It can be rented or shared ownership accommodation.  Shared ownership is where the property is offered at a percentage of the open market value to make it more affordable for potential buyers.  A Housing Association purchases the remaining percentage interest and charges a rent.
• Low cost housing for sale can also be 'affordable housing' and can help to meet the housing needs.  An example of low cost housing would be 'Fixed Equity Sale' - where a legal agreement exists to restrict the sale of the property at a fixed percentage of open market value on first and future sales.
• To meet the high housing need within the district, we would have to provide 303 new affordable homes a year.  This is not achievable, however the Council is committed to tackling this issue.  Indeed the top priority in the Wychavon's Housing Strategy 2005-2008, is to enable the delivery of 135 affordable homes.
• The Council's Housing and Planning Departments work together to assess the housing needs within the District and ensure we have the right strategies and policies in place to meet these needs where possible.  We achieve this by working in partnership with Housing Associations, Developers, the Rural Housing Enabler and a wide range of County Council and District Council departments.
• In the 2005/06 financial year, 90 affordable homes were delivered and more affordable homes are planned for the future.

Further Information

If you would like to know more please contact:

Elaine Salter
Housing Services
Telephone 01386 565241 - between 9am-5pm, Monday-Friday
Email elaine.salter@wychavon.gov.uk

or

Frances Evans
Housing Services
Telephone 01386 565524 - between 9am-5pm, Monday-Friday
Email frances.evans@wychavon.gov.uk