Press Release

JRF forum of experts probes affordable rural housing shortage

23 June 2005

The Joseph Rowntree Foundation Rural Housing Policy Forum meets for the first time today, to look at ways to address the lack of affordable housing for local people in rural communities. The Forum aims to agree a set of recommendations to feed into the Rural Housing Commission which the government is setting up.

Members include peers with expert knowledge from the Labour, Conservative, Liberal Democrat and cross benches of the House of Lords, and leading figures from the world of rural housing.

An adequate supply of affordable homes is crucial to the sustainability of a living, working and inclusive countryside. In recent years house prices have risen much faster than earnings in rural areas, and incomers - commuters, retirees and second home owners - have outbid local people. The stock of social housing available for rent has been severely depleted by discounted sales under the Right to Buy.

The Government’s revised Planning Policy Guidance statement (PPG3) and its response to the Barker Report, both expected in the next few months, may offer the Forum scope to suggest radical measures to deal with the supply-side problems of land for housing. The Forum will look at ways to ensure that social housing in rural areas can be retained for future generations and will consider questions surrounding its allocation.

Mark Shucksmith, Professor of Planning at the University of Newcastle upon Tyne and Secretary to the JRF Rural Housing Policy Forum, said: "The difficulties young people and others face in finding an affordable home in rural areas have worsened for at least the last 25 years, despite all the imaginative policy and practice initiatives tried.

This is an opportunity for some fresh thinking to help tackle this intractable problem, which is recognised by all political parties."