Spotlight on Rural Housing - April 2026

A quarterly bulletin facilitated by your membership of the Rural Services Network and produced in partnership with the Rural Housing Alliance, highlighting a selection of current rural housing issues and opportunities

Rural poverty report highlights hidden hardship

A new report from the Labour Rural Research Group (LRRG) has highlighted the scale and nature of poverty across rural Britain, challenging assumptions that countryside communities are largely affluent.

The report, Rural Poverty in Britain, draws on evidence from a wide range of organisations, including evidence submitted by the Rural Services Network (RSN), alongside focus group research capturing lived experience in rural areas.

It finds that rural poverty is “real, structural and too frequently invisible”, driven by the “rural penalty” - the additional and unavoidable costs of living outside towns and cities.

Higher costs for transport, energy and food, combined with reduced access to services and infrastructure, are placing increasing pressure on rural households. The report also highlights how poverty in rural areas is often undercounted, meaning need is not fully reflected in policy or funding decisions.

The LRRG calls for a comprehensive Rural Strategy, with social and economic mobility at its core and a stronger focus on how rural need is measured and supported.

In relation to housing, the report concludes:

“Decades of under-delivery of social and genuinely affordable housing in rural areas — compounded by the loss of stock through Right to Buy, the sale of social housing homes by housing associations, and the growth of second homes and the expansion of holiday lets — have fundamentally undermined housing affordability.”

You can read the full report here.

New affordable homes in Dartmoor National Park

Ashburton has benefited from a unique affordable housing project within Dartmoor National Park, bringing new homes to the area.

Housing association, LiveWest, teamed up with Dartmoor National Park Authority, Teignbridge District Council, Ashburton Town Council and local developer, Coyde Construction, to develop a scheme for 39 affordable homes in the town.

With development in the National Park limited, the scheme represents the largest affordable housing project in the town in more than two decades, offering an opportunity for local people to remain in their community.

The homes are a mix of 25 social rent and 14 shared ownership properties ranging from one to four-bedroom homes. The development also features a specially designed two-bedroom wheelchair adapted bungalow.

Gareth Jones, Development Director for LiveWest, said:

“Our vision is to create homes and communities that people love to live in, and this location supports this.

“With the support of grant funding from Homes England, we were able to deliver these homes at Ashburton as affordable housing and in doing so we aim to strengthen the community as we understand how important affordable homes are in helping local people remain local.

“By incorporating sustainable features, such as enhanced insulation, efficient heating systems, and sustainable materials, we’re also helping to lower the carbon footprint which has long term benefits for those living here. We hope all our residents are enjoying their homes.” 

Teignbridge District Council, Councillor Richard Buscombe, executive member for housing and homelessness said:

“This scheme is a strong example of what can be achieved through effective partnership working with local communities. It provides a well balanced mix of homes, including social rent, shared ownership, and a fully accessible bungalow, helping to meet a range of local needs.” 

For more information on this project contact [email protected]

Hold the date – Rural Housing Week 2026

Every year, Rural Housing Week highlights the many social and economic benefits of affordable housing to rural communities.

Rural Housing Week 2026 will take place from 6 to 11 July. Watch this space for more details!

Community Trust announces transfer of homes to housing association in Cumbria

The voluntary Board of the Lyvennet Community Trust (LCT) has announced an agreement with Eden Housing Association (EHA) to secure the long term future of their homes at Stoneworks Garth in Crosby Ravensworth.

LCT concluded that transferring ownership and management of the homes to a larger housing association would best support tenants and ensure that the scheme’s local occupancy requirements continue to be protected.

David Graham, Chair of the LCT Directors and Trustees, said:

“Eden Housing Association was the natural choice. They supported LCT from the earliest stages of planning and development, and they have managed all day to day housing and tenant services since the homes were first let. Our tenants have always dealt with EHA staff, so the transfer has been a seamless transition that provides ongoing security of tenure.”

The journey began when the Crosby Ravensworth Housing Steering Group was formed to explore how a Community Land Trust model could deliver affordable homes for the communities in Crosby Ravensworth Parish in the Lyvennet Valley. This work led to the creation of the Lyvennet Community Trust in January 2009 and the Stoneworks Garth development comprising 10 homes was officially opened in October 2012 by Rory Stewart, then MP for Penrith and The Border.

You can read more at this link.

Support for young people facing homelessness continues in North Yorkshire

The supported housing service in Northallerton that helps dozens of young people move on from homelessness will continue after Broadacres Housing Association secured a new contract.

A new four-year contract has been awarded by North Yorkshire Council to continue delivering The Crossing, a supported housing scheme in Northallerton for young people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness.

Broadacres have more than 20 years’ experience delivering specialist support services for young people aged 16 to 25 who are homeless or at risk of homelessness.

In 2014, Broadacres invested £1.4 million in The Crossing. The scheme provides nine self-contained flats for young people who have been assessed as homeless by the local authority, as well as six additional supported accommodation units within the local community.

You can read more at this link.

National land use framework published

The government has published England’s first ever Land Use Framework, described as a plan for delivering new homes, nature restoration, clean energy and food security.

Government state:

“It demonstrates clearly that there is enough land to deliver the government’s objectives provided we use land more efficiently and for multiple benefits.”

They go on to state:

“For families waiting on a new home, the Framework will help steer development to the most suitable locations, away from flood plains – helping to accelerate delivery of the government’s promise of 1.5 million new homes while protecting critical habitats.”

You can read more at tis link.

Celebrating long housing service to rural communities

Connexus has launched a new long service awards scheme to recognise colleagues who have dedicated their careers to supporting customers and rural communities across Herefordshire and Shropshire. 

To celebrate the launch, colleagues who had reached more than 25 years of service with the organisation were invited to a special celebration. The event recognised a combined total of 683 years of service, with individual commitments of up to 46 years. Awards were presented to colleagues by chief executive Kate Smith.

The new awards scheme was introduced following feedback from a recent colleague engagement survey, where the importance of recognition and celebrating key service milestones was highlighted.

You can read more here.

Rural housing needs to be a strategic priority for regional leaders

Research commissioned by the Rural Housing Network (RHN and carried out by the Countryside and Community Research Institute (CCRI), demonstrates how devolution in England can deliver the affordable homes that rural communities need – If rural priorities are embedded in local strategies.

A handful of affordable homes in a village can keep a school open, support a local shop, and help older residents stay near family. Devolution offers a chance to join up housing with transport, jobs, and services in a way that fits rural life - but that won’t happen by accident.

Policymakers, councils, and housing professionals are urged to read the report and act on its findings. Rural communities deserve a fair share - and with the right choices now, devolution can help deliver it.

You can read the full report at this link.

Trent & Dove announce £88 million funding boost

Trent & Dove housing association have secured an £88 million finance package with Lloyds Banking Group, enabling them to build safer and more affordable homes in their communities.

The finance package will help to continue their work maintaining 6,500 high quality homes, developing new homes, and supporting neighbourhood projects.

Jan Griffiths, Resources Director at Trent & Dove, said:

“This investment demonstrates Trent & Dove’s long term commitment not only to building new, high quality homes, but also to looking after the homes we already provide.

“Alongside delivering much?needed new development, we remain focused on maintaining safe, well kept homes and continuing to deliver the community support that makes a real difference to our customers.”

You can read more at this link.

New homes almost complete in Cornwall

A new development of one-, two-and three-bedroom houses in the rural community of Trethewey will shortly become available for letting by Cornwall Rural Housing Association.

Properties include solar PV and air source heating and are expected for completion in April.

A local lettings policy is in place requiring a strong local connection with the Parish of St Leven in the first instance.  Applicants for tenancy may be considered if they have a connection to the neighbouring Sennen or St Buryan parishes (Secondary Parishes).

More details on the development are available here.

Government consults on banning leasehold for new flats

The Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government is consulting on plans to introduce a ban on new leasehold flats. They are seeking views from industry and consumers on:

• the scope of the ban
• the case for exemptions from the ban
• how a ban on new leasehold flats should operate as part of the government’s approach to moving to the reformed commonhold model
• when a ban on leasehold for new flats should start and what transitional arrangements might be needed
• the costs and benefits in moving to commonhold and complying with the ban

They also invite feedback on the commonhold framework itself. This consultation closes on 24 April 2026 and more details are available here.