Accessing affordable housing
Make an application
The application form takes at least 30 minutes to complete and you will be required to provide a number of documents to support your application. Please note you cannot save the form part way so you need to have all documentation ready to upload before starting.
If you are not eligible for the scheme you have applied for, your application will be held for six months so we can inform you of alternative options you may be interested in.
Please note: to prove you are unable to afford the discounted market sale property you will need to download our Financial Advice support form(Word, 69KB) for your Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) accredited finance advisor to complete, to verify your income and deposit details. This will need to be uploaded as part of your application.
Required documents
These documents are required as part of the application process. Without these you will be unable to complete the application.
At least one document from the following three options, to show how you have a local connection to the area that the discounted market sale property is located in.
Lived in the area
If you or the joint applicant have lived in the same ward/parish as the affordable property for at least the last 12 months or previously lived in the same ward/parish as the affordable property for at least five continuous years you will need to provide one of the following:
- utility bill (gas, electric, water)
- tenancy agreement
- Council Tax bill
- benefit letter (from DWP confirming proof of benefit)
If you have been living with friends/family, you'll need to provide a signed letter from them confirming your living arrangements.
Family connection
If you have a direct family member (parent, sibling or child – no other relatives are acceptable) who live in the area and have done for at least five continuous years, you will need to provide their address and birth certificate(s) showing how you are related.
Employment in the area
If you or the joint applicant work in the area or have been offered permanent employment in the area, you will need to provide one of the following:
- contract of employment
- employer’s letter on headed paper, stating your employment location, start date and hours
- self-employment contract, stating your employment location, start date and tax return for previous year
Armed forces
If any of the following applies to your or the joint applicant, you will need to provide a letter from the relevant organisation showing the proof of employment (current or previous), length of service and proof of residency within MoD accommodation (if relevant).:
- are serving members of the regular armed forces
- have a family member/s who has served in the regular armed forces five years prior to your application
- suffers from a serious injury/illness/disability as a result of service within the armed forces
- are a bereaved spouse/civil partner of a former serving member of the armed forces and have recently ceased (or will soon cease) to be entitled to reside in service accommodation
- are a recently divorced/separated spouse/civil partner of a service personnel who needs to move out of accommodation provided by the MoD
At least one document from the following three options to show proof of dependents.
- a MATB1 form or letter from your doctor/midwife on letter headed paper confirming your pregnancy
- copy of each child’s birth certificate and child benefit claim
- residence order or other supporting documentation to confirm long term guardianship
If you own a property, regardless of whether you still live in it, you must provide one of the following:
- a memorandum of sale from your estate agent
- a letter from your solicitor detailing the agreed sale price of the property and the buyers details
If you have a mortgage on your current property, you will also need to provide a copy of your latest mortgage statement.
Please note: we cannot approve current homeowners for affordable housing unless you have already agreed a sale so that we can calculate how much equity you have to put down as a deposit on a new home
