Share this page
Print this page:
Add this page to:
NHF calls for action on rural housing
25/11/09
Edited by Sophie Griffiths. Urgent action is needed to increase the supply of affordable housing in rural areas to prevent the disappearance of "traditional village life", the National Housing Federation (NHF) has warned.
The organisation is calling on rural councils to draw up plans for delivering new residential property after a poll it commissioned found 62 per cent of people living in the countryside believe there is a shortage of affordable housing in their area.
A further 66 per cent of those polled said they would welcome the construction of new homes.
An influx of people buying second homes in the country appears to be pushing local people out, with 52 per cent of people telling the NHF that only those on the highest incomes could afford to buy a home in their village. This rose to 62 per cent in the south-east and the south-west.
NHF chief executive David Orr said: "Second home owners and wealthy newcomers have pushed prices up in many areas, but the real problem fuelling the decline of our villages is the chronic shortage of affordable homes."
According to Halifax, rural house prices fell by 13 per cent in the 12 months to September, compared to an 18 per cent drop for properties in urban areas.
