BROKERING RURAL AFFORDABLE HOUSING

Moira Groborz-RHE, Rural Community Council of Essex

Louise Wilby-RHE, Suffolk ACRE7th July 2011

Rural Community Councils

• Charitable organisations• Promote, support and works with rural

communities –community led planning, transport, village halls, funding advice

• Provide advice & information

Rural Housing Enablers (RHE’s)• Piloted in 1997-2001• New programme launched in 2001• Initially 3 year posts• 3,000 or less in population

• RHE’s in every county by 2005• Now RHE’s in Essex, Cambridgeshire, Suffolk,

Hertfordshire and Bedfordshire

RHE’S – What we offer• Work with local communities to identify local

housing need, parish surveys.• Bringing partners together to develop schemes.• Find sites for affordable housing in partnership• Act as an independent honest broker • Support local authorities in speeding up delivery

of affordable rural homes• Contribute to local, regional and national policy• Raise the profile of rural affordable housing

What is Affordable Housing?

Various definitions exist.

Generally speaking - “Affordable housing includes rented and low cost sale housing, provided to specified eligible households whose needs are not met by the housing market.”

Types of Affordable Housing

• Social rent – About 60% OMR

• Affordable Rent – Up To 80% OMR

• Shared Ownership – 50/50 Buy/Rent

Why Affordable Housing?

• High house prices – current average for Babergh = £251,606• High private rent levels – let at above Housing Benefit levels• Right to buy sales – although much reduced at present • Few small properties in rural areas – mostly large detached & owner occupied• Low incomes – many households earn £15,000 or less per annum• 369 affordable homes needed in Babergh each year

Partnership Working• Housing Associations• Private developers • Parish Councils

• County Council• Rural Housing Enabler• Homes & Communities Agency

What is a Rural Exceptions Site

• Outside BUAB• Not usually available for

development• Subject to a Section 106

agreement• Only for affordable

housing in perpetuity

Local Lettings Restriction• Section 106 or Nomination Agreement - restricting lettings to local people

Core Parish

Abutting

Frustrations!!!

• Unreceptive Parish Councils• Lack of suitable sites/willing landowners and

hope value.• Nimbyism• Timescales• Stigma of “social” housing• Lack of understanding/empathy• Security and longevity of RHE’s

Comforts!!!

• Partnership working • Community champions• Rise in profile• Willing/philanthropic landowners• Influencing role• Reporting • “Bottom – Up” approach• Thinking outside the box

Final Points

• Long process• Expect hurdles along the way• Partnership working is essential• Consult with communities at every

opportunity• Incredibly worthwhile• Helps to create sustainable, mixed

communities

QUESTIONS

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