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The Rural Community Council for Kent and Medway

Affordable Rural Housing

The viability of many of Kent’s rural communities relies on maintaining a balanced community that supports everyone in the community - children, young people, families and older residents alike. High property prices and the loss of rented accommodation through the “right to buy” legislation has meant that many people with connections to Kent’s villages are living in unsuitable accommodation or have been forced to leave in search of a suitable and affordable home.

Rural communities wishing to support local people who have a genuine housing need can, with our help, set up a “local needs” housing scheme. This is a small and sensitively designed housing development, normally run through a local housing association, that provides affordable rented or shared ownership properties for people with a connection to that village.

                                         

Our Rural Housing Enablers can:

* Assist Parish Councils and rural communities by providing independent impartial    advice and support

* Help identify if there is a need for affordable housing by undertaking a housing needs survey on behalf of the Parish  Council.

* Help identify suitable sites and liaise with the Planning Authority

* Establish partnerships between Parish Councils, local authorities and housing associations to develop a local needs housing scheme

* Help with community consultation

Further information for Parish Councils and community groups is available, request a pack.

Contact either Tessa O'Sullivan or Richard Hall, our Rural Housing Enablers, on 01303 850816, or submit an enquiry.

If you are an individual looking for affordable accomodation please contact your District, Borough or unitary Council for further advice. You may also find The Affordable Homes in Kent website a useful source of information.

Building Communities -

Highlighting the achievements of Rural Housing Enablers in the South East Region


The Countryside Agency has produced a booklet outlining the work of Rural Housing Enablers in the South East Region. A "pdf" copy of the booklet can be opened and downloaded by clicking here. If you don't have access to broadband please note that the file is 5mb in size and may take some time to open.