What does this mean?
Between 2026 and 2030, we will work to ensure that the homes being built in Horsham District meet the diverse needs of our residents in both quantity and quality. This means not only delivering enough affordable homes each year but making sure they are the right size, in the right locations, and built to high standards of sustainability and design. We will continue to work closely with our Planning Service, Registered Providers, and developers to create well-designed homes that enable communities to thrive and for the homes to remain affordable for future generations.

Challenges to achieving this goal:

• Ongoing changes to national planning legislation, which may impact how and where affordable housing can be delivered.
• Rising construction and land costs, which can make it harder for Registered Providers and developers to deliver affordable housing at scale.
• Ensuring high-quality, sustainable design and community facilities are built into affordable housing without compromising viability.
• Balancing the need for the right quantity of homes with the right mix of sizes and tenures both for current needs and to future-proof housing supply.
• Limited availability of sites suitable for affordable housing, particularly in rural areas, despite opportunities such as Rural Exception Sites.

What we have achieved and will build on:

• Delivered over 780 affordable homes in the last five years.
• Worked closely with the Planning Department to maximise the delivery of affordable housing.
• Used Commuted Sums funding to enable additional affordable rented units and the delivery of social rented units on some sites.
• Maintained strong, collaborative relationships with Registered Providers to bring forward appropriate and timely developments.
• Ensure our rural communities can access affordable homes that meet local need.

Looking ahead to 2030, our focus will be on securing land and investment for affordable housing, championing high environmental and design standards across all tenures, and ensuring that the homes we help deliver will meet the changing needs of our communities for decades to come.

We have entered into a four-year partnership (April 2025- April 2029) with Action in Rural Sussex Community-Led Housing Team to promote and deliver rural affordable housing and Community Land Trusts.