Regional bodies 'failing on housing targets'

Regional Assemblies are failing to provide the levels of investment required to boost the stock of affordable rural housing, the Commission for Rural Communities (CRC) has said.

A new report from the commission has revealed that assemblies' proposed levels of of investment will in fact result in five per cent fewer homes being provided in each of the next three years.

The need to boost supply is particularly pressing as the "crisis of affordability" is already more apparent in rural areas than anywhere else, the CRC added.

"We welcome the attention that government has given to improving the supply of rural affordable housing - including the promise of a national target for rural affordable housing," acknowledged Trevor Cherrett, head of planning, housing and transport at the CRC.

"We are now calling on ministers to support their commitment by setting challenging targets for rural affordable housing delivery, ensuring that Regional Assemblies use the additional funds that have now been made available to them to meet these targets," Mr Cherrett added.

The average house price in the UK is now £220,111, according to the latest figures from the Department of Communities and Local Government.

Find land in the countryside with BuildStore's PlotSearch.

© Adfero Ltd