What Do We Mean by 'Affordable Housing'?

To help get the new website off the ground, I wanted to start with a blog post. I’ll try to keep this short and clear — the topic is really important, but it can feel a bit dry!

At the Chilbolton Community Land Trust (CCLT), our mission is to create affordable, high-quality homes in Chilbolton for individuals and families with a local connection. We’ve set ourselves a goal to deliver around 8–12 social rental homes in our community.

But what do we actually mean by social housing?

Words like social rent, affordable rent, market rent, shared ownership, and even downsizing often get bandied about — sometimes interchangeably, and sometimes incorrectly.

So, let’s clear up the basics. The UK government defines social housing in law as:

“Rented housing provided at below market rent to people whose needs are not adequately met by the commercial housing market.”

In practice, social housing usually refers to three categories:

• Social Rent – Traditionally around 50–60% of local market rents. These homes are typically allocated to people on the lowest incomes or in greatest housing need.

• Affordable Rent – Introduced in 2011, this can be up to 80% of market rents, but is still below private sector levels.

• Low-Cost Home Ownership – Schemes such as shared ownership and rent to buy. These are designed to help people who can’t afford to buy outright on the open market, but who may not qualify for the lowest-rent homes.

Why Does This Matter for Chilbolton?

For us at CCLT, the type of homes we build is just as important as the number we deliver. Here’s why:

1. Meeting local needs - Social and affordable rent homes are a lifeline for those struggling with high private rents. Shared ownership, on the other hand, supports people who aspire to buy but are priced out of the local market.

2. Funding the homes - Building houses is expensive, and the funding available is linked to the rents charged.

   • Social rent homes require significant subsidy or grant funding.

   • Shared ownership homes typically need less upfront investment.

3. Shaping our priorities together - We want to work with the village and our members to decide where to focus our efforts — balancing the urgent need for social rent with other forms of affordable housing that may also benefit local people.

   
   

The next time someone (including us!) talks about affordable housing, don’t be afraid to ask: “Affordable for whom?” The answer can make a big difference to the rent levels, the funding required, and ultimately the type of homes we build.

At CCLT, we’re committed to clarity, fairness, and keeping the community at the heart of every decision

Was this helpful? Do you have any thoughts to share or questions? Please let us know as it's a complex topic and we want to help make things clearer