Affordability index

Screen

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Go back to Affordability index summary

These are the questions we answer during the Screen stage.

Answering them wil help us learn more about the Affordability index consideration, determine if a data standard is required and whether we know enough to move on to the next stage.

  • What is the 'Affordability index' consideration?

    To determine the minimum number of homes needed, strategic policies should be informed by a local housing need assessment, conducted using the standard method in national planning practice guidance. The standard method is a calculation informed by existing housing stock and affordability.

    The PPG on housing and economic needs assessment states that the House price to workplace-based earnings ratio dataset should be used when calculating local housing need through the standard method, which is an ONS dataset.

  • Is there legislation that defines 'Affordability index'?

  • Who, in law, is responsible for the planning consideration or makes decisions about 'Affordability index'?

  • Which organisations do we think should publish the data?

    • Office for National Statistics

  • Is the Affordability index a trigger?

    No

  • Is the Affordability index something to consult during plan making?

    Yes

    • Provide information about when Affordability index is used during plan making

      Housing need is an unconstrained assessment of the minimum number of homes needed in an area. Assessing housing need is the first step in the process of deciding how many homes need to be planned for.

      The housing requirement is the minimum number of homes that a plan seeks to provide during the plan period.

      To determine the minimum number of homes needed, strategic policies should be informed by a local housing need assessment, conducted using the standard method in national planning practice guidance. The standard method is a calculation informed by existing housing stock and affordability.

      Once local housing need has been assessed, as set out in this guidance, authorities should then make an assessment of the amount of new homes that can be provided in their area. This should be justified by evidence on land availability, constraints on development and any other relevant matters.

  • Is there any Affordability index data already available?

    Yes

  • Do we think the data should come from a single source?

    Yes

  • Will a data standard be required?

    No