Skip To Content

Affordable Housing

The lack of affordable homes for individuals and families living in Devon’s rural areas is one of the most serious problems facing rural communities in the 21st century. People are being forced to move away from the countryside because of the cost of housing. This affects the economic and social strength of rural communities and is a real threat to their long term sustainability.

For more information on the issue in Devon and how it is being tackled see The Case for Rural Affordable Housing in Devon

What we do

Our Rural Housing Team can provide advice and practical support to get the most appropriate affordable housing solution for your community.

Who is this service for?

Individuals or groups in communities of under 3000 in Devon who are interested in exploring affordable housing options for their community.

Parish Councils Guide 

More about our service

Our Rural Housing Team provide advice and practical support to get the most appropriate affordable housing solution for your community.

Our aim as a Rural Housing Team is to help to increase the amount of affordable housing available for people living in rural areas of Devon. We work in partnership with local communities and other agencies.

We can provide:

• Help with undertaking local housing needs assessments
• Help with finding sites
• Practical advice and guidance on the choices available to communities
• Raising the profile of housing need in rural Devon
• Bringing partners together to work more effectively
• Championing new ideas and exploring new ways of working

Case Studies– Recent and active affordable rural housing projects

Recent Developments

Since 2008 a number of developments have been completed.

East Devon
Upottery-Lympstone – Hawkchurch - Dunkeswell -Colyton - All Saints

Mid Devon
Culmstock

North Devon
Woolsery

South Hams
Salcombe - East Portlemouth

Teignbridge
Chudleigh Knighton - Tedburn St Mary - Liverton

Torridge
Woolfardisworthy - Bucks Cross - St Giles in the Wood

West Devon
Sticklepath - Drewsteignton

Developments under construction
There are currently a number of affordable housing projects under construction.

South Hams
Malborough - Blackawton

Torridge
High Bickington
 

The Devon Rural Housing Partnership is responsible for this work which is managed by the Community Council of Devon. The partnership includes thirteen of the county’s largest housing associations, all of Devon’s district/borough councils, Devon County Council, Dartmoor National Park, Community Council of Devon, Housing Corporation and the Government Office of the South West.

Useful material and publications

Affordable housing keeps villages alive - National Housing Federation (Fed)

These statistics help illustrate the problem.

• The average cost of a home in Devon will require a mortgage of over 10 times the average Devon resident's income
• The exercise of "Right to Buy" by Council House tenants has removed 15,742 homes from the rented sector since 1991 and new affordable rented housing has done no more than replace these homes.
• There are over 11,000 second homes in Devon
• It has been calculated that 20,200 new homes a year are necessary in the South West to meet housing needs, including 6-10,000 affordable homes for people unable to buy or rent in the open market.

For more facts about housing in Devon see our fact sheet here.

For information on housing across Devon visit the Devon Strategic Housing Group website at www.dshg.org.uk

Local Housing Need Reports

A number of Housing Reports assessing local housing need have been carried out for Parishes in Devon. The most recent are listed below. These reports are the intellectual property of the Devon Rural Housing Partnership. A fee will be charged to any organisation using these documents to support a development. To request a report please click here. A Guide for Parish Councils who wish to develop an affordable housing scheme for local people is available to download here.

East Devon: All Saints (2009-10), Awliscombe (2010-11), Axmouth (2010-11), Aylesbeare (2008-9), Bishops Clyst (2010-11), Branscombe (2009-10), Broadclyst (2010-11), Clyst Honiton (2008-9), Clyst St George (2010-11), Dalwood (2009-10), Farringdon (2010-11), Hawkchurch (2011/12), Lympstone (2011/12), Rockbeare (2008-9), Talaton (2008-9), Uplyme (2009-10), Whimple (2008-9), Woodbury (2008-9), West Hill (2011/12)

Mid Devon: Bradninch (2008-9), Cadbury (2010-11), Clayhidon (2010-11), Culmstock (2009-10), Halberton (2010-11), Hemyock (2010-11), Kentisbeare (2009-10), Newton St Cyres (2010-11), Sandford (2010-11), Thorverton (2010-11)

North Devon: Landkey (2008-9)

South Hams: Bigbury (2010-11), Blackawton (2008-9), Churchstow (2010-11), Dartington (2008-9), Diptford (2009-10), Halwell and Moreleigh (2010-11), Newton and Noss (2008-9), North Huish (2009-10), Salcombe (2009-10), South Brent (2008-9), Staverton (2008-9), Strete (2009-10), Ugborough (2009-10), Yealmpton (2008-9)

Teignbridge: Abbottskerswell (2009-10), Ashburton (2009-10), Bickington (2008-9), Broadhempston (2008-9), Buckfastleigh (2009-10), Christow (2009-10), Dunsford (2010-11), Holcombe Burnell (2009-10), Ilsington (2008-9), Ipplepen (2010-11), Kenton (2010-11), Moretonhampstead (2010-11), Widecombe (2010-11), Woodland (2008-9)

Torridge: Alwington (2009-10), Appledore (2008-9), Broadwoodwidger (2008-9), Buckland Filleigh (2010-11), Clawton (2008-9), Hartland (2008-9), Holsworthy (2010-11), Littleham and Landcross (2009-10), Milton Damerel (2009-10), Monkleigh (2010-11), Newton Poppleford (2010-11), Northcott (2008-9), Parkham (2010-11), Petersmarland (2010-11), Petrockstowe (2010-11), St Giles on the Heath (2008-9), Sutcombe (2008-9), Tetcott and Luffincott (2009-10), Virginstowe (2009-10), Welcombe (2008-9), Yarnscombe (2010-11)

West Devon: Brentor (2010-11), Broadwoodkelly (2009-10), Chagford (2010-11), Exbourne and Jacobstowe (2009-10), Horrabridge (2008-9), Iddesleigh (2009-10), Inwardleigh (2008-9), Lewdown (2011/12), Monkoakhampton (2009-10), North Tawton (2010-11), Sampford Courtney (2009-10), South Tawton (2008-9)

Further Information

Parishes that would like more information about Affordable Rural Housing, should contact the Community Council of Devon office on (01392) 248919 ext 220 and speak to
• Sue Southwell if they are in Torridge, East Devon and Mid Devon Districts
• Sue Hitchcock if they are in South Hams, West Devon and Teignbridge Districts

For more information about Housing Need Surveys please contact
• John Scott

There are a number of other Rural Housing Enablers working in the South West. Their contact details are below.

For information on a Government website providing information, useful contacts and links to best practice for those directly engaged, or interested, in the provision of affordable homes in rural areas - www.defra.gov.uk/rural/arh/index.htm


 

news & talk in the community

view all news & talk in the community