A Royal Call to Action at the Rural Housing Conference

The Rural Services Network was proud to be represented by Assistant Chief Executive Nadine Trout at last week’s Rural Housing Conference, jointly hosted by English Rural and Action with Communities in Rural England (ACRE). Held at the historic Coram campus in London on 30 April 2025, the event brought together policymakers, housing professionals, and rural champions to confront the deepening crisis of affordable rural housing.

Under the banner “Affordable Rural Housing: Opportunity in Changing Times,” the conference featured a keynote speech by HRH The Princess Royal, who called for national recognition of rural housing needs, reminding attendees:

We aren’t just talking about houses — we’re talking about the people and communities that make our countryside live and breathe.

The day showcased compelling evidence and real-life stories, highlighting the stark challenges faced by rural communities:

• Average rural house prices have soared to £418,400, while average rural wages remain just £25,600.
• Rural areas receive only 10% of affordable homes built, despite accounting for 18% of the population.

Attendees also heard how investment in rural housing could unlock up to £87 billion in productivity gains annually, while boosting local economies and job creation.

Voices from the frontlines, including Rural Housing Enablers and residents like Pauline Rose, brought the statistics to life—emphasising the transformative power of secure, affordable housing.

A clear message emerged: to meet rural housing needs, a package of targeted measures is required, including planning reforms, landowner incentives, and long-term funding for the RHE programme. The call was echoed across sectors—from the Church to planners to economic strategists—highlighting rural housing as both a moral imperative and a national opportunity.

Dame Fiona Reynolds captured the spirit of the day with a simple but powerful reminder:

This is about building more than homes. It’s about building futures.

The RSN welcomes the momentum generated by the event and will continue to advocate for policies that support sustainable, thriving rural communities.

All images in this article are credited to Matt Pereira Photography