ABSTRACT
A majority of all households are eligible for ‘social housing’. Social housing means housing for which subsidised loans are currently being provided and for which households with eligibility certificates issued by the local authority can apply. Units are no longer classed as ‘social housing’ when the subsidised loans have been repaid and there are no longer lettings obligations, although lettings obligations may last for a further eight years. With non-profit housing companies, subsidised loans usually last for thirty years, but they can be repaid earlier thereby ‘freeing’ the unit from the requirement to accept nominations; low-income and first-time owneroccupiers can receive subsidy if they are eligible.
