§ Mrs. MayTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will publish his department's definition of (a) affordable housing, (b) social housing, (c) key worker, (d) low income earner and (e) intermediate income earner. [21730]
§ Mr. ByersAffordable housing, when used in planning guidance, refers to low cost market and subsidised housing.
Social housing is normally used to refer to subsidised housing provided by local authorities or registered social landlords for rent.
There is no national definition of (c), (d) and (e). However, local authorities may use some of these terms in assessing local housing needs and defining what they regard as affordable housing within their area. Such definitions are usually based on the level of local incomes and their relationship to house prices or rents. In defining key workers authorities will need to decide upon those groups in need of affordable housing who contribute to essential service provision.