The Case for Affordable Rural Housing

A major new research report was launched on Monday 7 July to mark the start of Rural Housing Week, setting out practical solutions to address the chronic shortage of affordable homes in rural England.

The Case for Affordable Rural Housing, commissioned by the Longleigh Foundation in partnership with Stonewater, the Fusion21 Foundation, the University of Liverpool, highlights how rural areas remain largely excluded from strategic housing planning—despite Government targets to build 1.5 million homes.

The research identifies five systemic barriers to rural housing delivery:

1. land acquisition challenges
2. under-resourced planning systems
3. funding gaps
4. community resistance
5. institutional fragmentation

Drawing on 21 expert interviews, the report presents a four-point strategy to unlock delivery. Recommendations include:

1. a proposed Community Right to Buy for land
2. a Rural Exception Site Planning Passport
3. reforms to planning thresholds and funding stability for Rural Housing Enablers
4. strategic coordination to ensure rural needs are prioritised in devolution deals

Rural housing, the report argues, is both a social necessity and an economic opportunity – with new affordable homes shown to create jobs, generate tax revenue and ease pressure on public services.

The report was launched at Stonewater’s new development in Loxwood, Sussex, with project partners and representatives including the National Housing Federation in attendance.

Download and read the full report here