The definition of Affordable Housing differentiates between cheap houses, privately rented and social housing. However all three are included in the simple expression "Affordable Housing."

It was designed to provide decent housing for those who for a variety of reasons could not afford to pay the market rate for their housing. With many new houses costing well in excess of £300,000 it prevents many families from affording a new property. First time buyers are also penalised by high property prices. Five houses from mine is a house for sale for £550,000. The estate agents details give a mortgage projection. With a 10% deposit the monthly payments would be £3400. Now not everybody is going to be able to afford that. So simply extrapolate the values for various house values and the problem becomes very serious. Even a two up, two down terraced house at £250000 with 10% deposit is a problem.