Homelessness in rural parts of England has risen by 115 per cent in the last two years, with campaigners warning of further increases as a result of planning reforms reducing the number of affordable homes to be built in the countryside.
The number of households categorised as homeless in rural local authorities in England rose to 19,975 according to the countryside charity CPRE, and the Rural Services Network, which represents parish councils and many other countryside organisations.
The true figures for rural homeless are likely to be even higher as rough sleepers in the countryside should include people camping in woods or sleeping in cars and outbuildings. These people are rarely included in official counts, which are based on snapshots, focussing on rough sleepers on the streets and those in emergency hostels.
The rise in homeless households has been greatest in the north-east and north-west of England but increases have been recorded across all areas. The rates of increase in rural areas is currently greater than that occurring in towns and cities, and rural councils fear the housing shortage in the countryside could soon get even worse.
Councils are forecasting a potential reduction in affordable house construction by up to 50 per cent if the requirement to build them switches to applying to sites with more than 40 or 50 homes rather than just 10 homes. The change is part of Housing Secretary Robert Jenrick’s proposed alterations to the planning system
Crispin Truman, chief executive of CPRE, said key workers were being priced out of rural areas by high rents in the private sector.
“Tragically, rural homelessness continues to soar. Continuing to deregulate the planning system will only make this situation worse.
“Instead, investing in rural social housing now would deliver a boost to the economy at a time when this is so desperately needed. The evidence is crystal clear that this is the best way to provide affordable homes for rural communities, especially the key workers whom communities rely on now more than ever, while at the same time jump-starting the economy.”
The CPRE has calculated that at current social housing build rates it could take more than 150 years to clear the current rural housing waiting lists. The Rural Services Network has said that changes set out in the Government’s planning white paper would be catastrophic for the delivery of rural affordable housing.
It argues that more rural affordable housing would boost the economy. It has forecast that for every 10 new affordable homes built the economy would be boosted by £1.4m, supporting 26 jobs and generating £250,000 in Government revenue.
Graham Biggs, chief executive of the network, said:
“The social case for affordable rural housing provision is undeniable and is at the heart of sustainable rural communities. Now the economic case for investment in such housing is also firmly established, we call on the Government to boost affordable rural housing supply in a clear win-win situation.”
By Patrick Mooney, Editor