Rural Housing for Devon
In July 2007 the Devon Rural Housing Partnership joined with the Devon Strategic Housing Group (DSHG) to form a single housing partnership working together to improve the delivery of affordable housing in Devon.
To access the Rural Housing Enablers work programme from January 07 to Dec 07 click [ Here ]
The Devon Rural Housing Enabler programme was begun in 2002. The principal aim of the Rural Housing Enabler is to help to improve the amount of affordable housing available for people living in rural areas of Devon by working in partnership with the agencies and communities concerned. This work includes:
- Help with undertaking local housing needs assessments
- 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
The lack of affordable homes for people living in rural areas is becoming a serious problem for Devon residents as many of the indigenous population are being forced out of the countryside. This affects the economic and social strength of rural communities and is a real threat to their long term sustainability. The statistics 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 click [Here]
This programme is delivered through the Devon Rural Housing Partnership, and is managed by the Community Council of Devon. This 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.
SUSTAINABLE RURAL COMMUNITIES: A TOOLKIT Read Report [Here]
A number of Housing Reports assessing local housing need have been carried out for Parishes in Devon. The most recent reports are listed below.
- Stoke Gabriel (January 2006)
- Upton Pyne (March 2006)
- Dunkeswell (Sept 2006)
- Dolton (Dec 2006)
- Holsworthy Hamlets (Nov 2006)
- Pyworthy (Aug 2006)
- Pancrasweek (June 2007)
- Ipplepen (Aug 2006)
- Ashwater (Dec 2006)
- Moretonhampstead (July 2006)
- Upottery (June 2007)
- Frogmore and Sherford (Jan 2007)
- Beaford (June 2007)
- Buckland Brewer (June 2007)
- St Giles in the Wood (June 2007)
- Malborough (June 2007)
- Woolfardisworthy (August 2007)
- Sheepwash (August 2007)
- Chagford, Drewsteignton, Throwleigh, Gidleigh (August 07)
- Colyton (July 07)
- Merton (July 07)
- Kingston (June 2007)
- Langtree (November 2007)
- Roborough (January 2008)
- Bridgerule (December 2007)
- Dowland (November 2007)
- Loddiswell (October 2007)
- Stoke Fleming (October 2007)
- Slapton (November 2007)
- High Bickington (March 2008)
- Abbotsham (February 2008)
- East Budleigh with Bicton (March 2008)
- Starcross (May 2008)
Information sheets available -
How to Achieve Afforable Housing Information sheet 1 [Here]
What You Need Information sheet 2 [Here]
Affordable Housing Information sheet 3 [Here]
Affordable Housing FAQs [Here]
Helping local people find a home leaflet [Here]
For detailed information on the work of the Rural Housing Enabler refer to the most recent e-bulletin
Bulletin No 5 [Read here]
If you would like more information about Rural Housing, please contact Sue Southwell or John Scott for Torridge, East Devon and Mid Devon Districts (email sue@devonrcc.org.uk, john@devonrcc.org.uk) or Sue Hitchcock for South Hams, West Devon and Teignbridge Districts (email susan@devonrcc.org.uk) at the Community Council (01392 383419)
There are a number of Rural Housing Enablers working in the South West. Their contact details are below.
Dorset - Andy Lloyd andy.lloyd@dorsetcommunityaction.org.uk
Wiltshire - Carol Southall csouthall@communityfirst.org.uk and Penny Bell pbell@communityfirst.org.uk
Mid Devon - Cathrine Simmons CSimmons@middevon.gov.uk
Exmoor and North Devon - Colin Savage CBSavage@exmoor-nationalpark.gov.uk and Jo Nash JENash@exmoor-nationalpark.gov.uk
Somerset - Karl Hine karl@somersetrcc.org.uk and Felix Marsh felix@somersetrcc.org.uk
Gloucester - Laura Mills lauram@grcc.org.uk
For information on housing across Devon visit the Devon Strategic Housing Group website at www.dshg.org.uk
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
