A Plan for York

Social renting

Social rented housing, is one aspect of the government’s affordable housing drive. Social houses are properties rented to in-need individuals at a lower cost than renting privately. Over the four years until April 2026, The Council has delivered 33 social homes.

Buying affordable homes

As well as social housing, York Council have a policy of ‘affordable housing”. These are expected to charge a higher rent than social rent but still discounted – this can be up to 80% of ‘market rents’, considerably higher than social rents. Homes are let to people from the council waiting list.

Providing ‘affordable housing’ for lower income families to buy or rent can be seen as an attempt to ameliorate the trend for the enormous house price rises that have happened since the 1970s. Then, those on lower incomes could buy a home for about three times their yearly income. Now they need to pay ten times their income.

Over the four years until April 2026, The Council has delivered 127 affordable homes. 85 of these affordable homes have been sold to residents at prices between £295,000 and £475,000 depending on property size.