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Housing shortage 'threatens rural life'

Monday, 28 November 2005 12:00 AM

A shortage of affordable housing is threatening the existence of rural communities and market towns, according to the body representing housing associations.

When this shortage is combined with rising rural house prices, the inevitable consequence is increased rural homelessness, the National Housing Federation (NHF) says.

In a submission to the government's Affordable Rural Housing Commission, it points out that the proportion of homeless households in rural areas increased by a quarter between 1999 and 2003.

It wants the government to implement recommendations permitting non-for-profit housing associations to build affordable homes for low income families in rural and market town communities.

"The acute shortage of affordable housing is a threat to the prosperity and existence of rural communities and market towns," said NHF chief executive David Orr.

"A lack of land, a slow and unresponsive planning system and unthinking Nimby opposition is preventing not-for-profit housing associations from building the new homes needed to keep communities alive."

The NHF wants to see the government prioritise affordable housing applications through the planning system, and develop a national rural housing strategy.

Its submission calls for VAT to be set at five per cent for refurbishment and major works at empty rural properties, and for surplus public land to be freed up for affordable developments.

It also wants the definitions of key workers eligible for housing assistance widened, and restrictions on the right-to-buy in areas where shortages are most acute.

"We're not talking about huge numbers here either," Mr Orr added.

"Often just half a dozen new affordable homes can turn a declining village into a vibrant community with a real future -keeping open local services, such as the village school, which might otherwise be forced to close."

The Affordable Rural Housing Commission was launched earlier this year to identify ways of improving access to affordable housing for people in rural areas.

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