News / Housing
Record-breaking number of new affordable homes built in Bristol
The number of affordable homes built in Bristol in the recent financial year is being celebrated as the highest number constructed in our city in 20 years.
More than 680 affordable homes were delivered across Bristol between April 2025 and April 2026, including 197 built by Bristol City Council.
The figure is an increase on the previous financial year when a total of 535 new affordable homes were completed.
According to the council, an affordable home is provided below market cost for people who would otherwise struggle to access housing through the private market.
This can include rental homes priced at no more than 80 per cent of local market rates or homes sold to buyers at discounts of around 30 per cent.
The council is ranked ninth in the UK for building new social housing, and the top performing English council outside of London, according to Inside Housing.
Private rented housing in Bristol is becoming increasingly unaffordable as rents grow much faster than wages – photo: Martin Booth
Barry Parsons, chair of the homes and housing delivery committee, said: “A genuinely affordable, secure home is one of the strongest foundations for good health and wellbeing.
“Our city needs more affordable homes, and we are doing everything in our power to make this a reality.
“Access to affordable housing reduces the risk of homelessness, improves health outcomes and supports people to remain in work and education.
“Increasing supply is essential to reducing inequality and preventing long‑term social and economic disadvantage.
“Delivering a record number of affordable homes in the last year shows that building homes and strengthening communities, is a top priority for this council.
“It also shows what’s possible when we work in new, more innovative ways and in close partnership with our Registered Provider partners.
“The challenges facing the housing sector are real, but we must continue to take action and build the homes for the people who need them most.
“By being innovative, by embracing different funding models and tenures, and by revisiting existing planning consents to unlock delivery using our Registered Provider partners’ access to funding, we’re ensuring more Bristol residents can benefit from a safe, affordable place to call home.”
The Bell Close Gap House scheme in Horfield is a development of nine one-bedroom, two-storey eco-homes which was visited by Labour’s Tom Renhard and Carole Johnson in 2025 – photo: Labour
Tom Renhard, leader of the Bristol Labour group, said: “We’re immensely proud to see over 680 new affordable homes were built in Bristol over the last 12 months.
“Having a safe, secure, permanent roof over your head is one of the biggest determinants of life outcomes; these new homes will make a profound, positive difference for their new residents.
“Homes are not built overnight and can take several years to come forward.
“The former Labour administration placed huge importance on tackling the housing crisis.
“When an update was last provided, all the completed homes were already under construction during the Labour administration – so I am proud our hard work continues to pay off.
“29 per cent of these new affordable homes are council-owned, which reiterates the importance of having the Council playing an active role in the housing crisis.
“There is no solution to the housing crisis that does not include an ambitious council house building programme.”
Main photo: Karen Johnson
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