Seminar Held Near Beverley Shines A Light On Rural Housing Issues

Around 80 people attended a seminar, hosted by East Riding of Yorkshire Council and the East Riding of Yorkshire Rural Partnership, at Bishop Burton College to discuss the challenges of delivering affordable and market housing in rural communities.

The event was attended by a number of housing experts and included guest speakers from the National Housing Federation and East Midlands Community Led Housing.

As well as being about policy from both a local and national perspective, a series of break-out sessions looked at funding for housing schemes, promoting community-led housing, addressing fuel poverty in rural areas and combating rural housing needs among older people.

Councillor Symon Fraser, cabinet portfolio holder for strategic asset management, housing and environment at the council, said:

“There is a shortage of decent affordable housing in many communities across the East Riding. It was therefore very encouraging to see so many representatives from across the region attending the event and getting involved in tackling this issue.

“The council is committed to doing all it can to support rural communities to bring forward development and community-led housing offers the chance for local people to work together and decide what sort of housing is needed in their own community. The seminar offered the opportunity for people to find out more about the concept, as well as what funding and support there is available to turn their ideas into reality.”

Monica Burns, external affairs manager (North East) for the National Housing Federation, who spoke at the event, said:

“This was an excellent event, bringing together a wide group of people united in the aim of building more affordable accommodation in our villages for local people.

“The energy and enthusiasm that was in the room gives me optimism for the future of our countryside.”

Following the seminar, the council and its partners will be seeking further opportunities to meet housing needs in East Riding’s rural communities through the development of affordable housing for both rent and sale.