Rural Housing handbook launched
26 January 2009
Following the announcement of Welsh Assembly Government funding for an expansion in the network of Rural Housing Enablers (RHEs), local steering groups made up of housing associations, local authorities, national parks and others have begun to recruit. A handbook, designed to help these new enablers and their steering groups to understand their roles and where to find good practice examples will be launched today.
The handbook is being launched at a time of significant uncertainty in the housing market, the global financial markets and the UK economy coupled with the changes brought about by the Essex Review. For RHEs and their steering groups to improve the delivery of affordable homes during this time is a big challenge and calls for creativity and innovation, breaking new ground and forging new solutions.
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.
Nick Bennett, Chief Executive of Community Housing Cymru said: "This demonstrates the practical benefits of joint working and collaboration. The four pilot Rural Housing Enablers were a great success. Building on that experience, and creating a resource across rural Wales can only help to improve the supply of affordable housing to assist local people who want to stay in their communities."
Cllr Aled Roberts (Wrexham), WLGA Spokesperson for Housing added: "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 the Rural Housing Enablers network is a very practical initiative that will put affordable homes on the ground for rural communities. This might involve identifying with the local community potential sites for housing development and identifying empty homes that can be brought back into use. The Rural Housing Enabler’s manual identifies effective practice and documents the lessons learnt by the RHE pilot projects, ensuring that communities across Wales get to benefit from a consistent and high quality service from the RHE’s.”
The handbook will be launched today, Monday 26th January, by John Davies, Leader of Pembrokeshire County Council and Nick Bennett, Community Housing Cymru at the Welsh Language Board Conference, Park Plaza, Cardiff.
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To download a copy of the handbook log onto CHC's website http://www.chcymru.org.uk/news/8579.html
For more information please contact Edwina O'Hart, Public Relations Officer on 02920557414 or edwina-ohart@chcymru.org.uk mailto:edwina-ohart@chcymru.org.uk or Natasha Weeks, Press and Public Relations Officer, WLGA on 02920468673
Notes to Editors
* The announcement to expand the RHE network was made by the deputy Minister for Housing, Jocelyn Davies AM at the Royal Welsh Show last year. As a result the network will expand from 4 posts to 10.
* Community Housing Cymru (CHC) is the representative body for housing associations and community mutuals in Wales, which are all not-for-profit organisations. In 2007/08 our members spent over £400 million in the Welsh Economy and employed over 4000 people. We are also active in community regeneration throughout Wales, including some of its most deprived communities.