Lack of housing in the countryside must be addressed

Permalink: Lack of housing in the countryside must be addressed
by Kay Murchie

According to the National Housing Federation (NHF), the Government needs to act quickly to build more properties in the countryside otherwise, rural areas will be swarming with those rich enough to buy second homes.

City people are keen to break away from urban living, however an invasion of rich people are now forcing local people out as they can’t afford rising house prices.

The NHF show that the average house price in England is now over 8 times the average income but in areas such as north Norfolk, the New Forest and north Cornwall, this figure rockets to 11 times.

A conference is to take place and the NHF are expected to declare that progress has been slow since the Affordable Rural Housing Commission’s report in 2006.

A spokesperson for the NHF commented that the lack of housing is turning many areas of the countryside a refuge for second home owners and commuters. However, this is having a devastating affect on local villages.

In some communities, property prices outweigh income and there is a desperate shortage for reasonably priced rented accommodation.

Housing associations are ready to tackle the crisis but backing from the local councils and the government is needed.