Rural Housing Week 2023

‘Building a better future for rural communities’ 

This week we are supporting Rural Housing Week – an annual campaign that showcases the vital work housing associations do in rural communities.

Taking place 3-7 July, this year’s Rural Housing Week campaign will focus on how a better future is possible for rural communities and investigate the changes needed to make this a reality.

The shortage of affordable housing is perhaps one of the biggest threats to opportunity in the countryside. The past few years have seen housing prices in the countryside rise at a quicker rate than in urban areas, forcing many people to move. According to recent government statistics, the most affordable homes in rural areas cost 8.8 times earnings compared to 7.6 times in urban areas (excluding London).

While the limited availability of affordable housing and the impact on rural communities should not be understated, there are many examples of where communities have risen to the challenge and welcomed small-scale housing developments tailored to local needs.

Throughout the week we will be sharing news and stories from around the region and showcasing the great work that communities and partner organisations can achieve by working together to deliver high quality affordable rural housing. If you’re not already, do make sure that you are following us on Twitter and Facebook for updates throughout the week, and take a look at our campaign page here.