Rural homelessness soars by 115% in two years

The number of households classed as homeless in rural local areas has more than doubled since 2017/18, according to campaign groups.

New analysis by the Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE), English Rural and Rural Network shows that the number of households categorised as homeless in rural local authorities has risen by 115% since 2017/18 and now stands at 19,975.

But the groups have also claimed that investing in affordable housing in rural areas could play a huge role in rebuilding the economy and balancing the government’s books after the pandemic.

The campaigners also estimate that for every 10 new affordable homes built, the economy will be boosted by £1.4 million, supporting 26 jobs and generating £250,000 in government revenue.

However, under the government’s controversial overhaul of the planning system, there could be even fewer genuinely affordable homes delivered, the groups argue.

Rural councils have predicted potential falls of up to 50% in affordable house building if the duty for developers to build affordable homes – known as the small sites cap – is raised from sites of 10 to 40 or 50 under the government’s proposed changes to the planning system.

Countryside campaigners are urging the government to safeguard rural communities by exempting them from proposals.

‘Genuinely affordable, well-designed homes connected to low carbon public transport and good local services are the very foundations of thriving rural communities,’ said the CPRE’s chief executive, Crispin Truman.

‘But today’s analysis shows that we are a long way off delivering more of this and tragically, rural homelessness continues to soar. We also know that too many key workers have been priced out of the rural communities they serve – we cannot accept that nine in ten care workers are priced out by private rents.

‘Continuing to deregulate the planning system will only make this situation worse and would be the exact opposite of “building back better”.

‘Instead, investing in rural social housing now would deliver a boost to the economy at a time when this is so desperately needed,’ added Mr Truman.

‘The evidence is crystal clear that this is the best way to provide affordable homes for rural communities, especially the key workers who communities rely on now, more than ever, while at the same time jump starting the economy.’

Photo Credit – TheDigitalArtist (Pixabay)