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This week is Rural Housing Week 2025, an annual campaign led by the National Housing Federation to spotlight the vital role affordable housing plays in keeping rural communities vibrant, inclusive and sustainable.
The week comes at a crucial time for the housing sector, following significant government announcements including the new £39 billion Social and Affordable Homes Programme. These national policies present both opportunities and challenges for rural areas—and Rural Housing Week offers a chance to focus attention on what is needed to deliver for countryside communities.
Many rural areas continue to face a chronic shortage of genuinely affordable homes. House prices and rents are increasingly out of step with local wages, and waiting lists have grown faster in rural areas than in urban ones. At the same time, the planning system and housing investment programmes often fail to reflect rural realities—risking missed opportunities and unmet need.
Through our recently launched Delivering for All campaign, the Rural Services Network is calling for:
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Kerry Booth, Chief Executive, Rural Services Network:
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