Rural Housing Week

Every year, Rural Housing Week highlights the many social and economic benefits of affordable housing to rural communities. Taking place 1-5 July, Rural Housing Week 2024 focuses on why rural communities need the next government to commit to a long-term plan for housing.

Affordable housing is essential to the prosperity of rural communities. Research shows that building just 10 affordable homes in a rural area generates £1.4m for the economy and supports an average of 26 jobs in the area. However, despite the relatively small scale of these projects, building new affordable homes in rural areas is extremely challenging. The delivery of affordable rural homes is often hampered by complex planning policies, a shortage of investment and stretched resources, leading to limited development in rural areas. These barriers combine to restrict housing supply for rural communities, which threatens their long-term sustainability.

Research shows that the next government could deliver a £51.2bn net profit by building 90,000 affordable homes. Since it coincides with the general election, Rural Housing Week is an important opportunity to highlight the role rural housing providers can play in meeting need, and the huge economic and social benefits that a proper rural strategy would bring.

Join the Rural Housing Week supporters