Spending Review – Can £39bn Affordable Homes Investment deliver boost to Social Housing?
Sarah Brooke-Taylor, WRCC’s Senior Rural Housing Enabler responds to the Government announcement of additional funding for affordable housing.
The Chancellor’s commitment of £39 billion for affordable housing is a really positive step, and could make a big difference in helping the Government reach its goal of building 1.5 million new homes. For far too long not enough social housing has been built, and that’s left 126,000 families stuck in ‘temporary accommodation’ while their physical and mental health, jobs, and children’s education suffer.
This needs to be the moment we start delivering the social homes people truly need in communities across the country. However, it’s still unclear how many of these new homes will be genuinely affordable social homes, or whether the Government plans to set a clear target for Social Rent homes in its long-term housing strategy.
**Rural Warwickshire: Unique Housing Challenges**
Rural communities face a unique set of housing challenges compared to urban areas. In Warwickshire, fewer homes are built in rural areas and those that are often don’t meet local needs. House prices and rents can be disproportionately high compared to local incomes, especially in areas popular with second-home buyers or retirees. For example, the average house price in Warwickshire is around £300,000, significantly higher than the national average.
Many rural homes are older, poorly insulated, expensive to heat, and rely on oil or solid fuel instead of mains gas. Younger residents often leave due to a lack of affordable housing, jobs, and amenities, leading to an aging population and challenges in maintaining local services. In desirable rural areas, homes are frequently bought as second properties or for short-term rentals (such as Airbnb), reducing the supply of homes for local people. Rural areas often lack sufficient social housing, and what does exist is at risk of being sold off and not replaced.
**South vs. North Warwickshire: A Call for Balance**
South Warwickshire, and particularly Stratford-on-Avon district, has seen a disproportionately high volume of new homes built per capita in recent years, with 283.9 new buildings completed per 10,000 people from 2020 to 2023. This highlights the need for a more balanced approach to housing development across the county.
PLEASE NOTE: WRCC currently receives funding from Defra to provide FREE advice and support to any community in North Warwickshire wanting to complete a rural housing needs assessment. We are here to help!
**Take Action for Your Community**
If your rural community would like to investigate the provision of affordable homes to meet local needs, please contact our Rural Housing Enablers. They can help you take the first step to finding out more about your local housing needs and how to address them.
And if your home is older and reliant on heating oil for warmth perhaps our Energy Syndicate can save you money. Email energy@wrccrural.org.uk to find out more or look at the Energy tab on this website.
**Act now to ensure your rural community has suitable housing for the future!**
📧 **Email:** housing@wrccrural.org.uk
📞 **Phone:** 01789 842182