Affordable housing

We are committed to delivering affordable housing that meets residents' needs and helps to maintain vibrant, sustainable communities.

Our strategic housing enabling team works with a range of partners including local communities, housing associations and developers. It works to deliver affordable housing and other housing solutions throughout the New Forest.

Our team works closely with the National Park and plays an important role in the delivery of the council's housing planning policies.

How we can help

We provide:

information on local housing need
site-specific advice on the type, size and tenure of affordable housing
advice on local affordability and sustainability
advice and support on affordable housing development.

We promote early engagement between the council and developers. This is to ensure a clear understanding of affordable housing expectations and individual site constraints.

Community-led and rural affordable housing

Community-led and rural affordable housing provides an important route to meet the housing needs of specific groups and rural communities.

Our enabling team provides support to local communities wishing to deliver this form of affordable housing.

Find out more about community-led and rural affordable housing.

Information for developers

The pages below provide information about affordable housing development in the New Forest:

Local housing needs surveys

Local housing needs surveys provide valuable information on the level, type and affordability of housing need in an area. Surveys are also a useful way of exploring local support for the development of affordable housing, and can help to inform Parish Plans and Neighbourhood Plans.

We encourage all parishes to conduct parish housing needs surveys.