BROKERING RURAL AFFORDABLE HOUSING Moira Groborz-RHE, Rural Community Council of Essex Louise...
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Transcript of BROKERING RURAL AFFORDABLE HOUSING Moira Groborz-RHE, Rural Community Council of Essex Louise...
BROKERING RURAL AFFORDABLE HOUSING
Moira Groborz-RHE, Rural Community Council of Essex
Louise Wilby-RHE, Suffolk ACRE7th July 2011
Rural Community Councils
• Charitable organisations• Promote, support and works with rural
communities –community led planning, transport, village halls, funding advice
• Provide advice & information
Rural Housing Enablers (RHE’s)• Piloted in 1997-2001• New programme launched in 2001• Initially 3 year posts• 3,000 or less in population
• RHE’s in every county by 2005• Now RHE’s in Essex, Cambridgeshire, Suffolk,
Hertfordshire and Bedfordshire
RHE’S – What we offer• Work with local communities to identify local
housing need, parish surveys.• Bringing partners together to develop schemes.• Find sites for affordable housing in partnership• Act as an independent honest broker • Support local authorities in speeding up delivery
of affordable rural homes• Contribute to local, regional and national policy• Raise the profile of rural affordable housing
What is Affordable Housing?
Various definitions exist.
Generally speaking - “Affordable housing includes rented and low cost sale housing, provided to specified eligible households whose needs are not met by the housing market.”
Types of Affordable Housing
• Social rent – About 60% OMR
• Affordable Rent – Up To 80% OMR
• Shared Ownership – 50/50 Buy/Rent
Why Affordable Housing?
• High house prices – current average for Babergh = £251,606• High private rent levels – let at above Housing Benefit levels• Right to buy sales – although much reduced at present • Few small properties in rural areas – mostly large detached & owner occupied• Low incomes – many households earn £15,000 or less per annum• 369 affordable homes needed in Babergh each year
Partnership Working• Housing Associations• Private developers • Parish Councils
• County Council• Rural Housing Enabler• Homes & Communities Agency
What is a Rural Exceptions Site
• Outside BUAB• Not usually available for
development• Subject to a Section 106
agreement• Only for affordable
housing in perpetuity
Local Lettings Restriction• Section 106 or Nomination Agreement - restricting lettings to local people
Core Parish
Abutting
Frustrations!!!
• Unreceptive Parish Councils• Lack of suitable sites/willing landowners and
hope value.• Nimbyism• Timescales• Stigma of “social” housing• Lack of understanding/empathy• Security and longevity of RHE’s
Comforts!!!
• Partnership working • Community champions• Rise in profile• Willing/philanthropic landowners• Influencing role• Reporting • “Bottom – Up” approach• Thinking outside the box
Final Points
• Long process• Expect hurdles along the way• Partnership working is essential• Consult with communities at every
opportunity• Incredibly worthwhile• Helps to create sustainable, mixed
communities