Affordable housing

East Suffolk Council recognises partnership working is vital to delivering affordable housing across the district. A key aspect of this approach is ensuring that new developments correspond with identified housing needs of our communities.

The role of Affordable Housing Enabling Officer(s)

• Negotiating with developers and housing associations to maximise affordable housing delivery
• Advising on planning policy requirements and S106 agreements
• Liaising with Homes England for funding opportunities
• Supporting local housing needs assessments and rural exception sites

Rural Housing Enabler Programmes

• ACRE Rural Housing Enabler Programme:
  Funded by Defra (£2.5m) this programme creates a network of Rural Housing Enablers (RHE’s) and supports a pipeline of 227 rural schemes delivering over 2,100 potential homes.

National Programmes and Funding

• Affordable Homes Programme (AHP) 2021-2026:
  £9.3 billion allocated to deliver at least 100,000 homes outside London by March 2029
• Social and Affordable Homes Programme (SAHP) 2026-2036:
  £39 billion programme aiming to deliver 300,000 homes, with 60% for social rent. Includes flexible delivery models and regeneration support
• Guidance and details available on GOV.UK

Policy and Planning Framework

The National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) Reforms (2024) introduce mandatory housing targets and updated rules for Green Belt land, aiming to deliver 370,000 homes annually, prioritising areas with high unaffordability.

Useful links

Affordable Homes Programme Guidance - GOV.UK

Social and Affordable Homes Programme Policy - GOV.UK

ACRE Rural Housing Enabler Programme