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Affordable Housing: A British Illusion That is Anything but Affordable.



By Matthew Burnett (United Kingdom)



In the midst of a worsening housing crisis, the term "affordable housing" has become a buzzword among politicians, governments, and developers alike. But peel beneath the surface, and it's frighteningly evident that what's being peddled as a solution is, in fact, a skillfully disguised extension of the issue.

In the United Kingdom, "affordable housing" is officially defined as costing no more than 80% of the local market rent. However, in locations where market rents are already high, this definition falls short for working families.

A two-bedroom flat in Croydon, for example, rents for approximately £1,600 per month. What about the "affordable" version? £1,280 which is still out of reach for many. “I work full time in the NHS, and I still can't afford to rent an ‘affordable’ flat without Universal Credit,” says Kristina Hemsley, a healthcare assistant in South London that i interviewed outside of Mayday Hospital. “I don’t know how they expect ordinary people to survive.”

Recent data in a simple online search from Shelter shows that over 1.2 million households are on waiting lists for social housing, while new developments often contain minimal “affordable” units and sometimes none at all.

Even shared ownership, often marketed as a stepping stone onto the property ladder, brings hidden traps. Buyers often find themselves paying full market rent on the remaining share, service charges, and hefty maintenance fees while owning just a sliver of the property. “It’s like renting with extra paperwork,” says  Bradley Edwards an electrician from Hounslow, and a potential shared ownership buyer. “I thought I would be buying my way into stability. Instead, I'd be stuck paying £1,100 a month for a 25% stake.

Worse still, the definition of affordability is tied to market rates, not household income. With wages stagnating and inflation driving up living costs, the gap between what’s affordable and what’s available continues to widen. The term ‘affordable housing’ is deliberately misleading, It should be based on what people can afford and not market rents.

Ultimately, the system appears designed to maintain the illusion of progress while protecting profit margins.

Affordability should be tied to income and not already inflated local rents. Working families will continue to remain priced out of their own communities and must rely on benefits to top up the rent.

Affordability means having a roof over your head without fear of eviction, debt, or choosing between rent and heating. Until that becomes the standard, we must call out the myth for what it is: an illusion dressed as a solution.