Decision details

As a member of the York and North Yorkshire Housing Partnership the decision has been made to adopt the York and North Yorkshire Affordable Homes Standard which will be formally launched on 4 July 2025.

The Standard aligns with our existing Housing Strategy and provides and opportunity to work alongside the other members of the Housing Partnership to improve the standard and consistency of the affordable homes secured through Section 106 agreements.

It is important to note that this standard is a voluntary code and is not a planning document.

The ten elements which make up the Standard are:

1. We will only develop or acquire homes that meet the Affordable Homes Standard
2. We will work collaboratively across the Partnership to ensure we pay a fair price for high quality homes.
3. All homes must meet National Described Space Standards as a minimum
4. Affordable Homes must be at least the same standard as and indistinguishable from market sale homes; and should include adequate in curtilage parking facilities.
5. To support cohesive communities that can thrive, affordable homes should be integrated across each development and their facades and location should be tenure blind.
6. Homes should be accessible and/or adaptable to suit customers throughout their lifetime.
7. Homes should reflect local demographics and housing need. To ensure we provide homes for single person households, families and an ageing population.
8. Our preference is for new homes with high levels of insulation (adopting a fabric first approach) as well as low carbon heating systems.
9. Homes that do not have high levels of insulation and/or low carbon heating systems should be designed to enable us to easily improve their energy efficiency.
10. We want to create developments that protect and enhance the natural environment and provide space for nature to thrive.

n/a