Rural Affordable Housing in Cheshire

An initiative has been put in place across rural Cheshire to tackle the challenging task of providing affordable housing. Two specialist Rural Housing Enablers have been appointed to assist in the delivery of affordable housing.  Phil Addison is to manage the project in west Cheshire which is funded by DEFRA.

Phil says,” My job is to raise awareness and promote the need for affordable housing in the rural areas of Vale Royal, Chester and Ellesmere Port.

“I work with a network of individuals and organisations including Parish Councils, local communities, housing associations, local authority planning officers and others explaining what affordable housing means and helping to deliver it where there is a local need”

Phil explains, “The dramatic rise in house prices particularly in rural areas has led not only to first time buyers but also people on modest incomes being priced out of the market. Yet these are just the people who often work in key service areas, contribute greatly to the local community or who have strong local ties to the village. Affordable housing can assist in preventing local people from being forced to move away from the community in which they have lived and contributed.

“Affordable housing can be provided to people that meet specific criteria whom, despite a wish to remain in an area, have been priced out of the market either through high property prices or high rental prices.

“The type of housing that could be made available includes shared ownership properties and reduced cost rental properties. Agreements are put in place to help ensure properties remain affordable in the future.

“This initiative will focus on seeking to provide affordable housing for local people which should also help to support rural services and maintain vibrant rural communities.”

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Rural Affordable Housing leaflet (349Kb)