Michael Donnelly,
PlanningResource,
18 July 2008
The location of six new "enablers" to develop affordable housing in rural Wales have been revealed.
The six new “Rural Enabler” posts will be established in Ceredigion, Carmarthenshire, Rural Wrexham and Flintshire, North Powys, Mid Powys and Ynys Mon.
£400,000 will be available for the Rural Housing Development scheme this year.
The Welsh Assembly Government will provide £200,000 and the WLGA and CHC will provide match funding of £200,000.
The move follows successful pilots in Gwynedd and parts of Monmouthshire and Powys.
Welsh deputy minister for housing Jocelyn Davies said: “The expanded network will play an important role in helping to ‘rural proof’ our policies, providing an important stakeholder group for rural housing interests at community level, in addition to existing groups we liaise with.”
The recent Rowntree Commission’s report noted the problems in rural communities relating to the provision of affordable housing.
Ms Davies added, “Affordability is a particular problem in rural areas as a result of a combination limited supply, low local wages and high demand often from affluent incomers making the perfectly natural choice to move for a fantastic environment and a fulfilling way of life.
“This has an impact the social and cultural sustainability of some of our rural communities. Young people must be given the chance to see a future in their own community, somewhere to prosper and bring up their own families. Older people must have the option of remaining in their communities as their housing needs change. That is why the One Wales coalition agreement has a strong theme of meeting the needs of rural Wales.”
