Transcript BROKERING RURAL AFFORDABLE HOUSING

BROKERING RURAL AFFORDABLE
HOUSING
Moira Groborz-RHE, Rural Community
Council of Essex
Louise Wilby-RHE, Suffolk ACRE
7th 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
QUESTIONS
?