Rural Housing for Devon
The problem
The lack of affordable homes for people living in rural areas is a serious problem for people living in Devon as many 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]
How the Rural Housing Enablers (RHEs) can help
The task of the RHEs is to help to improve the amount of affordable housing available for people living in rural areas of Devon. They work in partnership with local communities and other agencies. This work includes:
- 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
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.
Housing 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 develpment. Details of the fee can be obtained from the RHEs.
Recent Rural Developments
In 2008 three developments have been completed at Lympstone, Salcombe and Hawkchurch.
Contact details
Parishes that would like more information about Rural Housing, should contact the CCD office on (01392) 383419 and speak to
- Sue Southwell if they are in Torridge, East Devon and Mid Devon Districts sue@devonrcc.org.uk
- Sue Hitchcock if they are in South Hams, West Devon and Teignbridge Districts susan@devonrcc.org.uk)
For more information about Housing Need Surveys please contact
- John Scott john@devonrcc.org.uk
There are a number of other Rural Housing Enablers working in the South West. Their contact details are below.
- Wiltshire - Carol Southall csouthall@communityfirst.org.uk
- Mid Devon - Cathrine Simmons CSimmons@middevon.gov.uk
- Exmoor and North Devon - Colin Savage CBSavage@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
