Affordable housing

A key Priority within our Housing Strategy is to 'enable every resident to have access to a home that meets their needs'.

We want to make sure that there are a mix of affordable housing options for people in West Berkshire. This includes properties to rent from housing associations, low-cost or shared ownership options, as well as providing supported housing for vulnerable members of the community.

The Housing Strategy Team work with housing associations, developers, landowners and Homes England, to secure the sites and funding for new affordable housing within the district.

Below, we've explained some of the affordable housing options available.

Social housing: renting from a housing association

Social housing is rented accommodation provided to eligible households by a local council or housing associations (also known as 'Registered Social Landlords'). In West Berkshire, all of our social housing is provided by housing associations and accessed by being on the 'housing register' (Homechoice).

'Affordable rented' housing is also owned and managed by housing associations and allocated through Homechoice to eligible households. Rents are no more than 80% of open market rent and in line with the Local Housing Allowance.

We work in partnership with housing associations to increase the amount of affordable homes in the area.

You can find out more, including eligibility information, on our 'Homechoice: the housing register' page and the Homechoice website.

Intermediate rent

Intermediate rent properties are set with the rent approximately 20% cheaper than those on the open market. You would then be expected to use the money you can save from having lower rental payments to put towards a deposit on buying a home.

Typically, you would sign up to a six month tenancy, with a month's rent held as a deposit. Affordability checks would be carried out to make sure the monthly rent is affordable for your household.

Shared ownership

Shared ownership allows you to buy a 'share' in a home and pay rent on the remaining share. The remaining share is owned by a housing association or developer.

This is more affordable than the full cost of a property on the open market.

You can find out more on our shared ownership page.

Discounted sales

Discounted sales properties are sold below market value, usually at a discount of between 20% and 50%. You buy the property at a discounted price and own the entire property. Unlike shared ownership, you do not have to pay rent on the remaining share of the property.

When you sell the property, you sell at the same discounted rate, so that the saving is passed on to the next buyer and the property stays affordable. For example, if you pay £80,000 for an affordable property worth £100,000 (a 20% discount) and the property value rises to £110,000 by the time you sell it, the 20% discount would be passed on, so you could sell it for £88,000.

These homes are often advertised in the same place as shared ownership homes. They are also often advertised by the developer for that site.

There is no register to join if you are interested in discounted sales. They are usually allocated on a first-come-first-served basis to purchasers who meet the criteria set out in the legal agreement relating to the property.

Rural affordable housing

To help people who are living in or are connected to rural parishes, small housing developments (known as 'rural exceptions sites') can be created to provide affordable housing to local people.

You can find out more about these sites on our rural affordable housing page.

Supported Housing

The Adult Social Care team can offer help and advice on receiving care at home or finding a care home. They can also give advice on Extra Care Housing Schemes that can help the most vulnerable people in our community.  

You may also be eligible for a disabled facilities grant, to help with home adaptations.

For more information on affordable housing and affordable development, contact the Housing Development Team.