Making the Case for Rural Affordable Housing
This week Connexus is supporting Rural Housing Week, the National Housing Federation's annual campaign highlighting the many social and economic benefits of affordable housing in rural communities.
For Connexus, the week is an opportunity to showcase how affordable housing in rural communities can help them remain vibrant, sustainable places to live. Through our Rural Voice campaigning and Corporate Plan, we've committed to championing rural communities and increasing the supply of affordable homes across Shropshire and Herefordshire. Over the past year, that commitment has been turned into action through a range of developments and regeneration projects designed to meet local housing need.
Over the course of the week, we'll be sharing a series of case studies that demonstrate the different ways affordable housing can be delivered in rural areas. From a rural exception site in Marton providing homes for local people, to innovative work to identify opportunities on underused land, each project reflects a common aim: creating homes that enable people to remain in the communities they know, value and are an important part of.
The projects also highlight the importance of supporting local organisations and partnership working. Whether working with local authorities and organisations, councils, funders or residents, successful outcomes depend on understanding local need and delivering homes and services that work for the whole community.
Kate Smith, Chief Executive at Connexus said: "Affordable housing is about much more than bricks and mortar. It helps people stay close to family and support networks, supports local services and employers, and plays an important role in keeping rural communities vibrant and sustainable.
"Through Rural Voice and our Corporate Plan, we've committed not only to delivering new affordable homes, but also to speaking up for the communities we serve and highlighting the challenges they face. Rural Housing Week gives us an opportunity to do both.
"The projects we're delivering show what's possible when housing associations, local authorities, funders and communities work together. They also demonstrate the importance of continued investment and support for rural affordable housing if we want future generations to be able to live and thrive in our rural areas."