Rural Housing Week is an important time for the sector. We get the chance to shine the spotlight on rural housing, and rural affordable housing in particular, on behalf of our communities and our partners.
But this year, one week isn’t long enough!
Hopefully we have evidenced why we believe that rural Gloucestershire is in the midst of a major rural housing crisis, one that ultimately affects every person, business, organisation and sector that is linked to the county. Many other organisations from many regions have done the same and have expressed the same sentiments.
We have also demonstrated some of the steps we are taking at GRCC to make a difference. Similarly all over the country others are seeking new ways of addressing the problems and overcoming the barriers to delivering the housing numbers we need - ensuring that they are the right houses in the right places to protect and enhance our rural way of life.
It is apparent however that it’s not an issue that can be packed away and brought out every year. It is a very real problem for our communities every day, of every week, of every month. Its consequences can be devastating. The conversation must be continued and the volume raised.
The Government's increased emphasis on housing cannot be wasted by rural communities like ours, and we don’t know how long it will last.
Not acting now could mean it’s too late. We must work together to find solutions, to lobby support and to change the way rural affordable housing is both viewed and delivered. The ways we worked and the things we did are no longer adequate. We need that change, and we need it NOW!
A few important messages from people who understand the urgency:
"Everybody deserves the right to a warm, safe, affordable home—wherever they live." - Kerry Booth, CEO Rural Services Network
“The availability of a roof over one’s head for young people and young families within the communities they grew up in is a key facet of effective social cohesion and a major contributor to ensuring our rural communities remain vibrant and sustainable. GRCC’s Rural Housing Enablers play such an important role in enabling this to happen by bringing together key players, providing relevant up to date data on need, and oiling the wheels to break down barriers to delivery wherever they exist.” - Charles Coats, Chair of Trustees, GRCC
“I love our new house and it means I can stay at my school with my friends and we are near Nanny! I’m growing peas in the garden, come and see!” - Freddie, aged 6 ¾, Social Housing Customer Forest of Dean.
Although the messages are the same, sometimes it’s the smallest voices that are the loudest.
Rural Gloucestershire needs affordable homes, and to get the right ones, in the right places, for the right people, in the numbers that are needed, we need to be innovative and work in unison. We need to change hearts and minds and we need to make sure rural affordable housing is always on the agenda.
We have become used to being grateful for whatever affordable housing we are given, when we should be demanding the affordable housing that we need.
If you have a housing need or want to get involved in rural housing, contact us here at GRCC.
