Britain’s Rural Housing Crisis

There is a major housing crisis in rural England. Allowing people to live close to where they work is critical in rural areas, where public transport links are often poor or non-existent. Without access to housing – especially housing suitable for younger people – rural businesses will struggle to attract quality employees. The crisis holds back economic development, as well as community well-being. Traditionally council houses and housing associations have provided affordable housing. But in villages of fewer than 3,000 people these now represent only 8 per cent of the housing stock (compared to around 20 per cent in urban areas). It is vital that this stock of houses is protected – and the government’s proposed extension of Right to Buy places them at serious risk. Read more on the City Metric website.