Housing

In May 2006, the Rural Affordable Housing Commission (RAHC) reported on the chronic shortage of affordable housing in rural areas. A combination of high house prices and a reduction in the number of social housing due to Right to Buy has resulted in many middle to low income families being unable to buy or rent even the cheapest property in the village where they were born.

As a consequence many young people are forced to move away to towns and cities to find affordable housing. This outward migration of younger lower income people has led in some cases to the closure of village schools, shops, doctor’s surgeries and bus services thereby putting the sustainability of the village under threat.

The RAHC has made a number of recommendations to address the problem across the country, most notably:

• 11,000 new affordable homes a year are needed in rural communities with less than 10,000 population
  
• Better funding for rural affordable housing in line with the 19% of the population who live in settlements of less than 10,000 rather than the 10% they currently get.
  
• Local Authorities should adopt policies to promote more affordable housing on private sector developments.
  
• Better leadership at all levels to put the case for rural affordable housing and make things happen.

2006 Housing Conference

AirS facilitated a well attended seminar on the findings of the Commission’s Report in June 06. A number of positive ideas were put forward on what local communities, their partners in District Councils and Housing Associations and what central Government could do to increase the supply of rural affordable housing. The following conference downloads are available:

The Commission’s Final Report (PDF)

Affordable Rural Housing Commission - The philosophy behind the report - Jeremy Leggett (Powerpoint Presentation)

Conference Agenda (MS Word)

The Rural Housing Enabler Project

This project aims to support communities to effect change for the better, whether through advice and guidance in building new properties, or encouraging alternative ways of providing accommodation for people on low incomes to remain within the community. Working across East and West Sussex the project aims are:

To act as an "honest broker" to facilitate the often lengthy and complex process of developing affordable housing schemes in rural areas to encourage sustainable communities.

To meet the needs of those people who would not be able to afford accommodation on the open market

 To work closely with village communities, Parish Councils, District Councils, Housing Associations, landowners, farmers and anyone else involved in the process of providing affordable housing

To identify local need through housing needs surveys

To carry out research, policy analysis, and lobbying on rural housing issues

To promote wider initiatives such as the use of empty properties, foyer schemes and meeting needs for supported housing.

Contact Details for the Rural Housing Enabling (RHE) Team

If you would like further information on the provision of affordable housing in your parish please contact your rural housing enabler. The team covers all of Sussex although we are currently working in the following areas:

Liv Singh
Senior Rural Housing Enabler
liv.singh@ruralsussex.org.uk
Tel: 01273 479008

Tom Warder
Rural Housing Enabler
Mid Sussex and Lewes District
tom.warder@ruralsussex.org.uk
Tel: 01273 479008

Kelly Jaggard
Rural Housing Enabler
Horsham, Chichester and Rother District
kelly.jaggard@ruralsussex.org.uk
Tel: 01273 405450

Meet the team

From left to right: Kelly Jaggard, Liv Singh and Tom Warder