subject: Everyone Deserves Affordable Housing [print this page] The term affordable housing relates to just how capable we are of affording a decent home. Here in the UK household income is the primary determining factor in regards to what we deem to be affordable. Finding housing that is affordable is controversial and a reality of our contemporary lives. As more and more homes become affordable to the masses, the range of what affordable actually is becomes altered.
The United Kingdom holds a long tradition involving the promotion of social rental housing that is deemed affordable. Owned by housing associations or local councils, they are registered at the Housing Corporation where they are regulated and through which development grants are provided. Another term for these housing associations is Registered Social Landlords.
Promoting the supply of homes
Government in the UK has always made attempts to promote the available supply of owner occupied and affordable dwellings to be purchased. Use of the land use planning system which requires housing developers to set aside a proportion of what can be termed lower cost housing in any new developments. Called inclusionary zoning, this form of provision allows for the inclusion of lower income residents in the new home projects.
In April of 2008 the Local Housing Allowance was introduced in order to provide Housing Benefit entitlements to provide tenants who rent in the private sector in England as well as Wales. This system brought about significant changes in housing benefit levels as to how they are paid and restricted. This Housing Benefit has many benefits, among which is a new flat allowance which determines rental fees for all housing similarly sized. Previously this cost was determined according to size of household.
Housing responsibility in England
As the responsibility for housing goes to the Department for Communities and Local Government in England it has planned on a merger between that Housing Corporation and English Partnerships determining the creation of Homes and Communities Agency. As a newly planned merger, they expect to have resources in excess of 4 billion pounds.
With a long tradition of promoted social rented housing which generally are owned by housing associations or local councils with affordable housing options such as shared ownership in common use today. Subsidized housing has long been the method of choice for those seeking affordable housing in the UK, and with newer regulatory bodies in force, this will continue to be the primary method of assisting those in need to find homes they can afford.
Shared ownership as a viable option to home ownership
The concept of shared ownership allows tenants to rent part of the property from the landlord while owning the remainder outright. Having a median income allows many to afford the housing they choose within their price range, even though they do not have total ownership. Those who accept this form of partial ownership can purchase it in entirety whenever they can afford to do so.
Private rental housing, also known as social housing, is a form of ownership whereby the tenant earns ownership over time as he pays on what is called specialized tenure.
