In a new bid to avert the decline of rural housing in Cornwall the Penwith Housing Association (PHA) is supporting a campaign by the National Housing Federation to ensure every village is covered by an action plan to get the affordable homes it needs. Already PHA and their partners Devon and Cornwall Housing Association are involved in many projects either planned, under way or near completion, from Sennen to Cardinham, from Carbis Bay to Gerrans, St Mawes and Hayle.
“We are developing a number of small scale rural housing schemes in conjunction with local councils,” said Chief Executive, Andy Moore. “They are more often than not on sites only granted for local needs and we are under an agreement to rentor sell to local people. We have an ongoing programme of this type of project”.
The PHA currently manages over 6,000 homes throughout the county. The Rural Community Council are encouraging parishes to have their own action plan which often includes the need for affordable housing and Mr Moore is hoping that Cornwall Council’s new community network will support the approach.
Nationally it is the National Housing Federation who are spearheading this campaign which believes “England’s countryside is in crisis”.
For the average price of a house is up to £8,000 more expensive than in urban areas – even though wages are low. With a decline in social housing and an influx of second home owners, many rural areas have been left with a desperate shortage of affordable housing for those who need it.
“The knock on effect is that businesses and local services including shops; schools; post offices; pubs and village halls struggle to survive” remarked Mr Moore. As housing waiting lists are increasing the current high figures may even under-estimate the need. “Sometimes this is because people simply do not believe that affordable homes in their community will ever be built”. The new plan is to make sure of the need, show how it will be met and to repeat the local assessments every three years, gaining the backing of Government ministers. It is not unusual for rural villages to be pressing for further affordable housing following the success of an initial scheme. This has happened at Sennen where a further scheme of twelve homes is due to start following the completion of a scheme in 2007 by PHA and DCHA. “We have worked with the parish council on this and with ROK, the builders and it is really encouraging to get a second scheme under way” commented Mr Moore.
