A new initiative to put local communities at the heart of building new affordable homes in the countryside has been launched in the House of Commons.

'The rural pledge' was introduced at an event for rural MPs by the National Housing Federation's 'Rural Alliance', a collection of over 40 housing associations developing and managing affordable homes in rural areas.

The Alliance, which provides a collective voice for rural housing associations, have drawn up the 'Affordable homes for local people' pledge in an effort to tackle the problem of affordable housing in the countryside.

The 6-point pledge, which was launched by Federation Chair Lord (Matthew) Taylor of Goss Moor, calls on housing associations to work closely with local communities and councils when building new homes, and to ensure that affordable homes always remain affordable. Seventeen MPs from rural constituencies in England attended the launch.


A seminar was also held prior to the launch, giving those involved in affordable rural housing the chance to discuss current issues related to affordable rural housing in more depth.

Mid Norfolk MP George Freeman joined Federation Chief Executive David Orr, Lord Taylor, and Rural Alliance chair Sue Chalkley for a panel led discussion, covering issues including building homes in the current financial climate, spurious village green applications and assessing local housing need.

Around 40 housing association chief executives and board members were at the seminar, along with representatives from other rural groups including the Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE) and the Country Land and Business Association (CLA).

Chief executive David Orr commented before the event: "There has never been a more important time to campaign to keep rural housing affordable. Housing associations are under increasing pressures as their funding gets squeezed, but the desperate need for new affordable homes remains the same."

(CD/GK)