UK towns with the most affordable housing
Expert reveals the UK towns building the highest proportion of affordable housing, with Middlesbrough taking first place.
Nationwide data shows that UK house prices have increased over the past year, with an annual growth rate of 2.5% and an average price of around £271,000. As a result, housing remains out of reach for many UK citizens, especially first-time buyers.
With household budgets still under strain from the cost of living crisis, the need for affordable housing has never been so vital. Not only does increasing the supply of genuinely affordable homes ease pressure on the private rental market, but it also provides people with the stability they need to plan for the future.
Considering this, the experts at CG Bonds sourced housing data from UK local authorities in the years 2023-2024 and 2024-2025 to calculate the proportion of affordable housing.
The UK towns building the highest proportion of affordable housing
| Rank | Local Authority | Proportion of Affordable Housing 2023-24 | Proportion of Affordable Housing Built 2024-25 | Percent Change in Proportion of Affordable Housing 2023-24 to 2024-25 |
| 1 | Middlesbrough | 17% | 97.6% | 80% |
| 2 | Worcester | 30% | 92.8% | 62% |
| 3 | Plymouth | 39% | 92.0% | 53% |
| 4 | Islington | 65% | 90.8% | 25% |
| 5 | Portsmouth | 112% | 88.1% | -24% |
| 6 | Redditch | 29% | 86.1% | 57% |
| 7 | Knowsley | 69% | 83.1% | 14% |
| 8 | Dacorum | 36% | 79.7% | 43% |
| 9 | Harlow | 16% | 75.4% | 60% |
| 10 | Southwark | 65% | 72.4% | 7% |
Middlesbrough is in first place, with 97.6% of built houses being affordable in 2025. This is an 80% increase from 2023, when it was a low 17%.
Property prices in Middlesbrough are among the lowest in England, meaning that affordable housing schemes can be delivered at a lower overall cost than in many Southern areas. This makes it easier for local authorities to build homes that meet affordability thresholds, and for residents to access housing without using most of their income on rent or mortgage payments.
Further Stats
- Worcester also has a high percentage: 92.8% of built houses are affordable, a 62% increase from 2023.
- Interestingly, Portsmouth is the only local authority that decreased from 2023-2025, dropping from 112% to 88.1%.
Source: UK Property Newsdesk
