Affordable Housing
‘Affordable Housing’
The provision of more affordable housing is our top priority.
‘We want to deliver a significant increase in the number of affordable homes across the district with a substantial rise in the amount of land made available for building affordable housing. We will aim to prevent homelessness wherever possible and otherwise ensure that accommodation is made available for those who do become homeless. We want to make sure that existing and new affordable homes are of a good quality and well managed, involving our tenants in decisions affecting their homes.’ (EDDC Corporate Strategy)
Further information on how we are working to provide more affordable housing can be found here.
What is meant by ‘affordable housing’? This is housing available to people who are unable to afford to rent or buy property generally available on the open market. It includes rented accommodation, low cost Home Buy, and shared ownership schemes.
Are you looking for affordable housing?
| Rented Accommodation | If you wish to apply for council housing information can be found here. Information on private sector rented accommodation can be found here . |
| Buying a home | If you want to find out more about home buy or shared ownership schemes please contact our Enabling Officer on 01395 516551 ext 2379 or email housingstrategy@eastdevon.gov.uk Or view the South West Homes website for information on all Low Cost Home Ownership products. |
If you are you considering developing affordable housing within East Devon, we have information to help you
What we are doing to provide more affordable housing for East Devon
Our Housing Strategy 2008-2011 outlines how we will achieve increases in the supply of affordable homes.
| Targets within the Housing Strategy |
| Delivery of at least 200 affordable homes each year across the district from 2008-2011 with an aspiration to deliver up to 300 a year from 2011-2015. |
| Achieve a target of at least 40% affordable homes in all relevant new developments. |
| Complete at least one rural based housing scheme in 2008/2009 rising to three schemes a year by 2010/2011. |
| Return 20 vacant properties back to use in the rented sector in 2008 rising by 20% year on year. |
| Provide 5 schemes over 3 years through the Private Sector Renewal Strategy |
| Achievements |
| We have been successful in securing £1M from the Homes and Community Agency for our new build schemes. |
| 50 vacant properties were returned back to use in the rented sector during 2008/09 |
| In the current market conditions the delivery of new affordable housing is particularly difficult. 9 new affordable housing units were provided in 2008/09 and we expect to deliver 15 in 2009/2010. |
| In September 2009 we held a very successful Affordable Housing Summit. |
Our Affordable Housing Policy (currently being drafted) will give more details about how we will work to achieve an increased number of affordable homes year on year.
In 2010/11 we anticipate that we will deliver a total of 142 new affordable properties in the district. This includes the council own build properties (19) and properties delivered through Registered Social Landlords. However these figures are not guaranteed and are subject to obtaining planning permission and funding.
Our first 
Affordable Housing Summit (123KB - PDF Help) was held on 17 September 2009. It was attended by approximately 60 delegates including representatives from Housing Associations, local developers and landowners, councillors and staff.
Our Housing Strategy Unit works closely with the Planning Department to forward all potential affordable housing developments. If you would like to speak to our Enabling Officer please ring 01395 516551 ext 2379 or email housingstrategy@eastdevon.gov.uk
Information you may want to know if you are considering developing affordable housing in East Devon
Set out below is some of the information you may want to know if you are considering developing in East Devon. If you would like to discuss your ideas further please contact one of our Planning Officers (01395 571531) or our Enabling Officer (01395 516551 ext 2379) or email housingstrategy@eastdevon.gov.uk
In accordance with our Interim Supplementary Planning Guidance (167KB - PDF Help) we expect 40% provision for affordable housing on a private development in the following circumstances:
- Settlements with a population greater than 3000 where the site is 0.5 hectares or larger, or where 15 or more dwellings are proposed
- Settlements with a population below 3000 where five or more dwellings are proposed.
We usually seek a tenure split of 70:30 and require the affordable homes to be transferred to and managed by a Registered Social Landlord to be held in perpetuity so that the stock of affordable homes is not depleted for future generations.
To assist with the provision of affordable housing in rural areas (beyond Local Plan Built-up Area Boundaries) we have adopted an 
Interim Mixed Affordable and Market Housing Position Statement (59KB) which will apply to the end of the year 2010.
You may also find it help to look at our Planning pages.
New build programme
For the first time in 20 years we are hoping to build new council homes in the district.
We have already started building two new bungalows in Sidmouth for people with disabilities. These are due for completion in spring 2010. Using sustainable materials wherever possible, as well as renewable energy supplies, the bungalows will be cost-effective to live in.
As well as this we have been successful in bidding for a social housing grant administered by the Homes and Communities Agency, the Government’s single housing and regeneration agency for England, through its Local Authority New Build project. We will match this investment of more than £1 million to enable us to provide 17 new homes in four different areas. These are detailed below.
| Churchill Court, Lympstone | 9 houses | 5 two bedroom houses for 3 people 4 three bedroom houses for 5 people |
| Normandy Close, Exmouth | 2 houses | 1 two bedroom house for 3 people 1 three bedroom house for 5 people |
| Heals Field, Axminster | 2 flats | 2 two bedroom flats for 3 people |
| Wagg's Plot, Axminster | 4 houses | 4 two bedroom,houses for 3 people |
