First Homes were introduced in June 2021 following an update to the Planning Practice Guidance (PPG) published by the Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government (now the Department for Levelling Up, Communities and Local Government).
First Homes are a specific tenure of discounted market housing and should be considered within the definition of ‘affordable housing’. Detailed definitions of First Homes and eligibility criteria are set out within the PPG and summarised in the Guidance Note.
There is a requirement in the revised PPG for a minimum of 25% of all affordable housing to be delivered as First Homes. The remainder of any affordable housing provided should be in accordance with the percentages set out in the Local Plan.
The First Homes Interim Policy Guidance Note provides an overview of what First Homes are and how Officers see this being implemented within Cherwell. The note does not set policy per se, but simply provides clarity on how the PPG will be applied within Cherwell. The Guidance Note includes a number of worked examples to assist with the implementation of First Homes.
The Guidance Note is available from the following link:
Interim Policy Guidance Note: First Homes (December 2021)