Rural homelessness doubles since 2018, rural campaigners say

‘Investing in affordable rural housing will level up and turbocharge the rural economy’, according to new research from CPRE, the countryside charity, English Rural and the Rural Services Network.

Homelessness in rural areas has more than doubled in the past two years, according to an analysis of government figures from CPRE, the countryside charity. These stark figures come as CPRE, English Rural and the Rural Services Network launch new economic analysis which shows that investing in affordable housing in rural areas could play a huge role in rebuilding the economy and balancing the government’s books after the pandemic.

Rural homelessness continues to soar unabated and looks set to get worse unless the government acts to invest in well-designed and genuinely affordable homes. The number of households categorised as homeless in rural local authorities rose to 19,975 – an increase of 115% from 2017/18. It is clear that the government needs to invest in rural social housing to get to grips with this problem.

It is well known that affordable rural homes create sustainable communities, but new jointly commissioned research, conducted by Pragmatix Advisory, goes further showing how these homes can help ‘level up’ against rural disadvantage, while also providing a turbo charge for the economy.

For every 10 new affordable homes built, the economy will be boosted by £1.4 million, supporting 26 jobs and generating £250,000 in government revenue. When multiplied by the number of affordable homes needed, this would lead to a massive boom in affordable homes, while providing a huge boost to jobs and the economy, saving the NHS and benefits bill thousands of pounds, and even cutting the government’s budget deficit.

However, under the government’s major overhaul of the planning system, there could be even fewer genuinely affordable homes delivered. Rural councils predict potential falls of up to 50% in affordable house building if the duty for developers to build affordable homes – known as the small sites cap – is raised from sites of 10 to 40 or 50 under the government’s proposed changes to the planning system. Countryside campaigners are urging the government to safeguard rural communities by exempting them from proposals.

Commenting on the homelessness figures, Crispin Truman, chief executive of CPRE, the countryside charity, said:

‘Genuinely affordable, well-designed homes connected to low carbon public transport and good local services are the very foundations of thriving rural communities. But today’s analysis shows that we are a long way off delivering more of this and tragically, rural homelessness continues to soar. We also know that too many key workers have been priced out of the rural communities they serve – we cannot accept that nine in ten care workers are priced out by private rents.

‘Continuing to deregulate the planning system will only make this situation worse and would be the exact opposite of ‘building back better’. Instead, investing in rural social housing now would deliver a boost to the economy at a time when this is so desperately needed.

‘The evidence is crystal clear that this is the best way to provide affordable homes for rural communities, especially the key workers who communities rely on now, more than ever, while at the same time jump starting the economy.’

The scale of the challenge is unprecedented – at current social housing build rates, it will take more than 150 years to clear rural housing waiting lists, and coronavirus will only make this worse.

Welcoming the findings, Martin Collett, chief executive of English Rural Housing Association, said:

‘This research shows both the economic and social value in directing more government investment towards delivering genuinely affordable rural homes. National housing and planning policy for too long has overlooked the needs of the countryside, focusing on urban solutions to rural problems that simply do not work and with rural communities left behind as local people, especially younger households, are priced out of the housing market. The pandemic has reminded us how important it is to have balanced communities, where essential workers both live and work.

‘As a provider of affordable rural homes, English Rural sees first-hand the positive impact that building a small high-quality development has on social and community wellbeing. The work completed by Pragmatix Advisory illustrates the strong economic argument as well, both from a local and national perspective. With homes enabling the economic potential of the countryside, whilst securing a positive financial return for any public investment made.’

The jointly commissioned research highlights the fragility of rural businesses to the economic shock of coronavirus and Brexit. With a dependency on at-risk industries and lack of access to affordable homes, low-income rural workers, particularly young families now face heightened risks. Evidence presented through the research shows the dual value of investing in affordable rural homes. They level-up against rural disadvantage whilst providing a turbo-charge for the economy; reducing the national deficit and generating a net return for the treasury.

Graham Biggs, Chief Executive of the Rural Services Network, said:

‘This research and analysis by Pragmatix Advisory are very welcome and timely. The social case for affordable rural housing provision is undeniable and is at the heart of sustainable rural communities. Now the economic case for government investment in such housing is also firmly established we call on the government to boost affordable rural housing supply in a clear win-win situation.’

Notes to editors

The full report can be downloaded here.Investing in rural affordable housing after the pandemic

About the analysis

Rural homelessness figures:
CPRE analysis of households assessed as being owed homelessness relief by predominantly rural local authorities using government live tables. Comparison carried out on figures between April 18/ March 19 and April 19 and March 20.

Economic modelling:
Pragmatix Advisory carried out economic modelling on the economic and fiscal case for investing in rural affordable housing using a series of central case assumptions based on government figures for borrowing rates and evaluation, construction, occupancy and annual inflation rates.

About English Rural:
English Rural is a Registered Social Landlord, established in 1991 to provide affordable homes in small villages for local people. Developments built by English Rural are community-led, meet local needs and help to maintain sustainable rural communities.

It currently owns and manages around 1,250 affordable properties, spread amongst 130 UK villages, and has a development programme of over 250 additional homes.

About RSN:
RSN is the national champion for rural services, ensuring that people in rural areas have a strong voice. We are fighting for a fair deal for rural communities to maintain their social and economic viability for the benefit of the nation as a whole.

Please call our Media Relations Lead, Jonathan Jones, on 07739 332 796 for further information.