The purpose of the affordable housing plan is to
- make sure there are as many affordable homes in Leeds as possible
- improve access to housing for all groups in communities
- make sure that all statutory duties relating to access to housing are met
Affordable housing is for households who cannot access or afford to buy a home on the open market. These include:
- First time buyers
- Low income workers unable to buy or rent in the open market
- Low to middle income key workers unable to buy or rent in the open market
- Student families
- Homeless households seeking low cost home ownership
- Homeless households in need of rented housing
- Households in priority social need
- Council or registered social landlord tenants wanting to buy
- Council tenants needing a transfer to meet medical or other priority social need
- Other vulnerable groups with low to middle incomes
Affordable housing can be available in a number of different forms. They include housing options that when they are combined comprise what we refer to as the ‘housing ladder’.
Affordable housing has become a priority for the council and the Leeds Housing Partnership. The main reason for writing this plan is to make sure that there are year on year improvements in the supply of new affordable housing
In our plan
- We describe the types of affordable housing that can be provided in Leeds. We also describe the mechanisms that need to exist in order to improve access to existing housing.
- We make the case for more affordable housing to meet current and future needs across the city.
- We identify the approach currently in place to provide new affordable housing and improved access to existing housing.
- We explore the further action that needs to take place so we can build on existing approaches, and develop new tools, to ensure improved access to housing and the provision of new affordable housing.
- We identify the priorities for action that will need to take place during the coming years.