Natural England

Calling the shots for rural housing- 20 July 2000

They were speaking today (20 July) at the launch of a good practice guide on developing housing strategies for rural areas, produced jointly by the Countryside Agency, Chartered Institute of Housing and Housing Corporation. The guide draws on experiences and innovative practices from across the country to demonstrate what makes a good rural housing strategy. 

Introducing the guide, Ewen Cameron, chairman of the Countryside Agency, said: “Housing in rural areas is about more than just providing homes; it enables people to live and work in their communities; it supports regeneration and it helps tackle social exclusion. For too long rural housing needs have been largely ignored or come low down in the priorities of many local authority housing strategies. We need robust rural housing strategies if we are to be successful in securing increased funding and more effective planning mechanisms, which are key to providing the homes needed in the countryside.”

Cllr Christine Reid, vice chair of the Local Government Association, welcomed the guide saying: “Rural housing needs have often been marginalised or perceived as a low priority compared to the well-publicised social exclusion and housing problems of urban areas. Yet, many low-income rural families find themselves confronted with a lack of affordable, available housing. To help address these problems, local authorities need to adopt a strategic approach to housing issues. The LGA, therefore, welcomes this guide which sets out clearly how local authorities can work in partnership with rural communities and the whole housing sector to develop and improve their housing strategies.”

Ross Fraser, Director of Professional Practice at the Chartered Institute of Housing, speaking at the launch said: “Local authorities and their partners need to adopt a strategic
rural housing strategies approach to tackle the crisis in the countryside. This timely guide will help local authorities working in rural areas develop the strategic role outlined in the Housing Green Paper, and to ensure they make the crucial links between their local housing strategy and the other social, economic and environmental strategies for their area.”

Steve Ongeri, senior policy analyst at the Housing Corporation, added: “This clear, practical guide is just what we need. It covers all the main housing issues and more, and shows how a coherent strategy can be developed through numerous examples of good practice.”

Developing Housing Strategies in Rural Areas: A Good Practice Guide is available from CIH Publications, Fax 024 7642 2022, Tel 024 7685 1764/1752, email pubs@cih.org. Price £20.00 plus £1.50 postage & packing.
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Notes to editors

For further information or a copy of ‘Developing Housing Strategies in Rural Areas - A Good Practice Guide’ please contact:

Countryside Agency: Julia Cropley or Isobel Coy on 020 7340 2909/6 or email julia.cropley@countryside.gov.uk 

Chartered Institute of Housing - Isabel Gold on 020 7837 4280 or email isabel.gold@cih.org 

Housing Corporation - Sian Jones or Gillian Watson on 020 7393 2093/5 or email sian.jones@housingcorp.gsx.gov.uk or for news and information about the Housing Corporation visit www.housingcorp.gov.uk 

The Countryside Agency is responsible for advising government and taking action on issues affecting the social, economic and environmental well-being of the English countryside.

The Chartered Institute of Housing is the professional body for people working in housing. With more than 16,500 members working for local authorities, housing associations, educational institutions and the private sector the CIH is the leading voice for housing professionals.

The Housing Corporation is a non-departmental public body sponsored by the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions. It has approximately 700 staff working at nine locations in England.