We believe rents are only affordable when they do not exceed one third of household income. There are numerous ways to define this income and other related factors and the Government should identify its preferred method, in consultation with the Local Government Association, the National Housing Federation, Shelter, and other key players in the sector. It is crucial that the Government links local incomes to a definition of affordability, rather than using “affordable” as a synonym for below ...

We believe rents are only affordable when they do not exceed one third of household income. There are numerous ways to define this income and other related factors and the Government should identify its preferred method, in consultation with the Local Government Association, the National Housing Federation, Shelter, and other key players in the sector. It is crucial that the Government links local incomes to a definition of affordability, rather than using “affordable” as a synonym for below market rent or market value. Type: recommendation | Number: 2 | Paragraph: 23 | Response status: under_consideration Government response: The Government does not a prescribe a definition of affordability, it is a complex and ever-changing picture that is better understood and monitored at a local level. However, we recognise that the fundamental purpose of social housing is to provide affordable, safe and secure homes to those who can