East Suffolk Council

Affordable housing

Types of affordable housing

Affordable housing are homes delivered to meet the housing needs of local residents who are unable to meet the cost of private rental or home ownership via the open market. A mix of flats, maisonettes, houses and bungalows are provided for rent, either as social rent (50% open market rents) or affordable rents (80% open market rents). In addition, low cost home ownership models include shared ownership, shared equity and discount open market homes.

Social rented is housing for rent from local authorities and registered providers (housing associations that have registered with Homes England). Social rent levels are set at 50% below market rates in accordance with government guidelines.

Affordable rented is housing for rent, either by local authorities or registered providers (housing associations that have registered with Homes England). Affordable rent levels are set at no more than 80% open market rates in accordance with government guidelines.

Low cost home ownership is housing that enables median and average income households to enter home ownership. There are three main products available and supported by the council:

• Shared Ownership allows purchasers to buy a portion of the home from 25% with rent paid (2.75% per annum of the market value of the unsold share) on the remaining equity.
• Shared equity enables the purchaser to buy 80% of their home. No rent is paid on the remaining equity.
• Discount market housing is similar and allows purchasers to buy 75% of their home with no rent paid on the remaining equity.

On many affordable housing developments within the existing physical limits boundary (or development boundary) it is possible to buy up to 100% of the property in stages (referred to as 'staircasing') however, if the scheme is in a rural location, it may be protected as a Rural Exception Site. In this case, the maximum share that can be bought is 80%, ensuring that the property will never be completely sold to the open market and will remain available for future need.