18 July 2008
ADVANCE NOTICE
Under Strict Embargo until 00:01 Monday 21 July
Major boost to Rural Wales welcomed by Welsh leaders
Rural Wales has received a major housing boost thanks to a new initiative aimed at increasing the supply of affordable housing.
A network of 10 new rural housing experts has been launched today at the Royal Welsh Showground by Jocelyn Davies, AM, Deputy Minister for Housing to tackle affordable housing for rural Wales, which currently places rural Wales as one of the least affordable housing areas in the UK.
Cllr Aled Roberts (Wrexham), WLGA Spokesperson for Housing said:
“Problems of housing affordability now affect the whole of Wales, but the challenges are most severe in rural areas where the sustainability of rural communities is at risk. The creation of this network of rural housing enablers is a very practical initiative that will put affordable homes on the ground for rural communities.”
Nick Bennett, Chief Executive of Community Housing Cymru added:
"This new network is a demonstration of what can be done by not for profit housing, local government and the Assembly Government working in partnership to empower rural communities in dire need. It is great to see a recommendation from both the JRF Commission and the Essex Task and Finish Group actioned so quickly."
The Rural Housing Enabler Network will work in partnership with local communities, councils and housing associations across rural Wales to identify local housing need and work with all key partners to find ways to meet that need. They can also play an important role in finding suitable sites for housing development and identifying empty homes that can be brought back into use.
The network is jointly funded by the Welsh Assembly Government, local authorities and their housing partners and will see the creation of six new posts to support the rural communities of Ceredigion, Carmarthenshire, Rural Wrexham and Flintshire, North Powys, Mid Powys and Ynys Môn. Currently, schemes are already set up in Pembrokeshire, Gwynedd and Monmouthshire/South Powys and Conwy/Denbighshire.
Please join us for the launch at the Local Government Pavilion on the Royal Welsh Showground (Avenue E, Plot 395, opposite the NFU building).
The Local Government Pavilion is being hosted by the Welsh Local Government Association in association with Powys County Council. Denbighshire, Conwy, Flintshire and Wrexham Councils will also be joining together in the Pavilion as host counties for the 2008 Royal Welsh Agricultural Show.
Ends
Notes to Editors
• There has been increasing recognition of the significant housing challenges in rural Wales and a recent report by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation, highlighted that in rural areas alone over 20,000 affordable homes are needed to meet demand.
• Other authorities that are not predominately rural will have access to expertise from the Rural Housing Enablers in adjoining areas on a consultancy basis.
• Rural Housing Enablers (RHEs) work with local communities, local planning and housing authorities, registered social landlords (RSLs) and landowners to help meet the housing needs of people in rural areas. A core element of the work of all RHEs is to facilitate an increase in the availability of affordable housing by assisting with village housing needs surveys, identifying sites and facilitating discussions between RSLs, funders and the local community.
• Community Housing Cymru (CHC) is the representative body for housing associations and community mutuals in Wales, which are all not-for-profit organisations.
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For more information contact: Natasha Weeks