AFFORDABLE rural homes remain top of the agenda, despite a change in housing minister.

The crucial need to address issues surrounding rural housing will be discussed at a key conference hosted by the Housing Corporation in London on Wednesday (8 October).

Caroline Flint: Promoted to Europe Minister

But after just 10 months in the role, Ms Flint has been promoted to Minister for Europe.

It remains to be seen whether her successor as housing minister, Margaret Beckett, will attend the conference which takes place less than a week into her new job.

The corporation's Investing in Rural Futures Conference aims to provide an essential insight into the future direction and opportunities for affordable housing in rural areas.

Speakers at the event will include Sir Bob Kerslake, chief executive designate of the government's Homes and Communities Agency, which is due to be launched this December.

Matthew Taylor MP will also deliver a speech following the launch of his report earlier this year calling for a fundamental shake-up of planning and affordable housing policy in rural areas.

Candy Atherton, who chairs the Housing Corporation's rural housing advisory group, said there were now 700,000 people on waiting lists for affordable homes in rural England.

"Providing affordable housing that meets the needs of England's broad spectrum of rural settlements is an essential priority for the Government as well as housing providers.

"The Housing Corporation has committed to increasing the number of homes we fund in rural areas through our 2008-11 investment programme."

"This conference provides a great opportunity  for both rural partners and policy makers to be at the forefront of this agenda."

The Housing Corporation is responsible for regulating housing associations, which provide some two million homes across England, and is responsible for investing in new affordable homes.

The corporation's £8.4 billion investment programme for 2008-11 is its biggest ever. Its previous investment programme of £3.9 billion for 2006-08 funded 92,752 homes.

                  See also:
                                • Rising shortage of rural housing (29 September 2008)
                                • Housing costs more in the countryside (14 September 2008)
                                • Minister's pledge on affordable housing (25 July 2008)
                                • Rural groups welcome housing report (24 July 2008)
                                • Shake-up 'vital' for affordable housing (23 July 2008)
                                • Campaigners look to housing report (22 July 2008)
                                • Brown to propose 'cheap rural homes' (31 March 2008)
                                • Government defends record on housing (27 February 2008)
                                • Appeal for evidence on rural housing (18 February 2008
                                • Warning over affordable rural homes (23 November 2007)
                                • Get tough on second homes, PM told (18 November 2007)
                                • Call to boost affordable rural homes (18 October 2007)
                                • £10.2bn boost for affordable homes (16 October 2007)
                                • Watchdog welcomes housing pledge (13 July 2007)
                                • Civil servants debate housing crisis (11 July 2007)
                                • Councils 'could provide more homes (3 July 2007)
                                • PM Brown says homes are priority (27 June 2007)
                                • Pressure builds over rural housing (8 June 2007)

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