A NEW website aims to promote the work of experts striving to improve the provision of rural housing.

The Rural Housing Alliance is a group of housing associations that develop and manage affordable homes in rural areas across England.

It unites the primary providers of affordable rural homes across England.

The alliance works in partnership with the Rural Services Network and National Housing Federation, which represents the work of housing associations and campaigns for better housing.

The website at www.ruralhousingalliance.net provides a resource for potential partners looking to find out more about the provision of affordable rural homes.

Alliance chairman Jake Berriman described it as an exciting achievement for members.

"The commitment to working to provide affordable homes in rural communities is more crucial now than ever," he said.

"The challenges are possible greater but through the continued mutual support and sharing of innovation, those within the Rural Housing Alliance are also taking advantage of opportunities.

"The website will help to promote our work and collective commitment to the shared objective of delivering much needed affordable rural homes."

The aim is to work together to share innovation, good practice and ideas, advocate the need for affordable rural homes and provide a unified voice on key issues.

Additionally, the alliance enables rural housing associations to compare and learn from each others' work in areas such as design and sustainability.

The website incorporates a directory of membership, latest member news and some useful example case studies.

The launch of the website coincides with the completion of a successful Rural Housing Week (11-17 July), which was coordinated by the National Housing Federation.

The week involved a range of activity at local and national level – designed to promote the need for affordable rural homes.

It culminated in a national conference chaired by BBC Countryfile presenter Tom Heap.

Visitors to the Rural Housing Alliance website are able to download useful guides and publications while finding out how to contact members.

Membership to the Rural Housing Alliance is broad, with a housing associations members ranging in size and specialisms.

Members are united by a common pledge, which is drafted to offer a clear set of guarantees to local communities and project partners.