Affordable housing

Plymouth has an agenda to grow and a priority to increase housing supply, including affordable housing. The need for affordable housing within the city is very high because:

• many people are unable to buy their first home because of low income levels compared to house prices
• the demand for social rented housing is high and increasing in the current economic climate.

Affordable housing is defined as social rented or intermediate affordable accommodation, such as shared ownership housing, and affordable rented accommodation.

Are you developing a housing site?

If you are thinking of developing a housing site within the city, which will include affordable housing, it is advisable to contact the housing enabling team prior to submitting a planning application to discuss the affordable housing requirements and development principles.

New property questionnaire - your views are important to us

If you own or are a tenant of a new affordable property and have received a questionnaire in the post, but would prefer to complete it online please visit our consultation portal.

Housing enabling team

The Council's housing enabling team work with a number of partners to support the delivery of new affordable, high quality, sustainable homes within the city. The team deal with a range of projects, from general needs housing sites to specialised supported housing schemes, as well as supporting the regeneration of Devonport, Millbay and North Prospect.

Affordable housing delivery

• Affordable housing delivery has doubled over the past three years
• During 2008 to 2011 in excess of £49 million pounds of funding was secured from the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA) for affordable housing delivery.
• 241 affordable houses were completed in Plymouth in 2010 to 2011.
• During the 2011 to 2012 financial year we are forecasting 200 homes to be completed (by March 2012).

The Plymouth Housing Development Partnership

The Plymouth Housing Development Partnership (PHDP) is the key delivery vehicle in the city, working to develop and promote new affordable housing. The PHDP is made up of the Council, the HCA and 11 Registered Providers (RP), previously referred to as Registered Social Landlords (RSL).

Securing new affordable housing

New affordable housing is generally provided through two routes:

1. Developments funded through either a mix of HCA, Local Authority and RP investment
2. Developer contribution through planning obligations.

Plymouth's Core Strategy Policy CS15 outlines the planning requirements for affordable housing within residential developments while the Planning Obligation and Affordable Housing Supplementary Planning Document (first review) sets out our approach to considering housing related planning applications within the city.

Do you want to access affordable housing?

Affordable rented properties

For advice about becoming an affordable housing tenant please visit our housing needs and options page.

Affordable home ownership

If you are interested in buying a shared ownership property South West Homes can advise on the application process and provide details of shared ownership properties available in the south west.

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