Rural Housing

The viability of many of Kent's rural communities relies on maintaining a balanced community that supports everyone living in it - 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 elsewhere.

Developing affordable housing is one of the crucial issues that influences the economic and social strength of rural communities, and is a major contributor to long-term community sustainability.

"Affordable rural housing" (or Local Needs Housing) is housing that:

• Is developed and managed by a Housing Association and made available for rent or shared ownership.
• Is made available to people who have strong connections to a village.
• Remains affordable for local people in perpetuity (cannot be sold on the open market).
• Is a small development, sensitively designed to be in keeping with the character of the village.
• Can help a community remain thriving and sustainable.
• Enables families to remain living in close proximity and provide support to each other.

What it is NOT:

• Affordable rural housing is not available to people from the local authority's general housing register unless they have a strong connection to the village.
• Used to move residents en-bloc from urban areas into rural areas.

How can our Rural Housing Enablers can help you?

• We can assist Parish Councils and rural communities by providing independent impartial advice and support.
• We can help identify if there is a need for affordable housing in your village by undertaking a housing needs survey.
• We can help identify suitable sites and liaise with the Planning Authority
• We can establish partnerships between Parish Councils, local authorities and housing associations to develop a local needs housing scheme
• We can help with community consultation by working in partnership with the Parish Planning Team at Action with Communities in Rural Kent.

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

Contact Tessa O'Sullivan our Rural Housing Enabler, on 01303 813790, or use our enquiry form.

If you are an individual looking for affordable accommodation 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.