This week marks the National Housing Federation’s Rural Housing Week, which explores why investing in rural areas is key to ‘removing barriers to growth and opportunity.’ For me, as Regional Assistant Director of Housing for Abri’s South West region, it’s personal. More than half of the 10,000 homes in my patch are rural, and as someone who lives and works rurally, I’ve seen the resilience and vulnerability of our rural communities and the people who live in them. They play a vital role in supporting our economy and way of life through the tourism, food and culture they produce.
These communities are worth preserving, but like most of the UK, they are currently feeling the squeeze of the housing crisis and cost of living increases. They’re in real need of investment to help them flourish.
Challenges we face in rural areas
Hidden homelessness – With a huge backlog of affordable housing applicants, rising housing costs and a lack of local authority funding, ‘hidden homelessness’ is becoming a bigger issue in rural areas. In autumn 2024, Somerset had the 4th highest estimated number of people sleeping rough on a single night in England in Autumn 2024- which is up by 40% from 2023.
Continuing to build affordable housing in rural areas is vital to solving the hidden homelessness issue, and so I was pleased to see the backing for this from the government in the recent spending review.
Transportation – For many rural residents, public transportation is their only link to vital services like work, school and medical care. But rural bus services are reducing as the years go on, with nearly a fifth gone in the last five years. This has consistently increased the pressure on rural households, as those with cars are dependent on them and those without are finding themselves more disconnected.
Increased investment in rural public transport as part of the Local Transport Grant was another big promise in the government’s recent spending review. I’m looking forward to seeing how the money will be spent in my region and the impact it will have on our rural customer’s lives.
Community investment and opportunity – Community investment lies at the heart of helping people be proud of their homes, but with opportunities for employment becoming harder and harder to access in rural areas, and with younger people leaving for better opportunities in cities and towns, it’s becoming less desirable for businesses and other services.
What housing associations can do
The government’s recent spending review, with pledges to back rural affordable housing and local transport, is very welcome. But the increased funding must now translate to delivery. At Abri, we know investment in rural communities is essential, and we’re acting now:
Building affordable homes - We’re constantly investing in our rural communities through new affordable developments. Some of our ongoing projects are building 58 affordable homes on the outskirts of Beaminster in Dorset and bringing 100 affordable homes to Langport in Somerset.
Community investment – Supporting our customers to live fulfilled lives is important to us. We use our social value fund to improve our rural communities through projects like installing communal Wi-Fi at our independent living schemes, creating beautiful community gardens, and working with our partners to deliver youth activities over the summer.
Tackling food insecurity - Our community pantries provide food at a fraction of the cost of supermarkets and are a big help to those who need them. We’re aware that some of our rural customers don’t find it easy to travel to our community pantries further afield. So, in Somerset, we bring a pantry to those who need it, the Mobile Community Pantry.
But these investments are not luxuries, they provide the backbone for sustainable rural communities. Earlier this year, in Martock Somerset, we saw the power of community spirit and pride when we worked with local flood wardens to support the Abri customers affected by Storm Éowyn’s severe flooding. It served as a powerful reminder that behind every hedgerow and high street are people who deserve safe, secure homes and a future within their communities.
Beyond rural housing week
Rural Housing Week shines a light on the needs of our rural communities, but our commitment cannot be confined to one week a year. As housing associations, we must remember our rural communities and continue campaigning for and championing a sustainable future for rural housing beyond Rural Housing Week. Ahead of the government’s long-term housing strategy, let’s ensure that the conversations we have this week translate into the investment and action our rural communities urgently need.
Jim Bruckel
Abri’s Regional Assistant Director of Housing (South West)