Solutions are needed!

Herefordshire faces a critical rural affordable housing shortage, and communities across the county are feeling the impact. Young people are forced to move away, older residents become isolated, and essential workers — carers, teachers, healthcare staff, farm workers — are travelling long distances because they cannot afford to live near where they work. This is holding back our economy, education, health, and community resilience. 

The Facts

• 1,957 households on the affordable housing waiting list 

• 67 households need wheelchair-accessible homes 

• Need for ~597 new affordable homes each year.

• ~2,500 homes delayed in planning, including 1,000 affordable.

• High number of Neighbourhood Development Plans, showing strong community engagement, yet lower availability of Rural Exception Sites.

• Rising second home ownership reducing availability of local housing. 

• Herefordshire Council has made strong progress — 276 affordable homes in 2024/25, 65 empty homes brought back into use, and 1,100+ affordable homes built over the decade. But the need continues to outpace delivery. 

“If you could change one thing to solve Herefordshire’s Rural Affordable Housing Crisis what would it be?”

Bring your voice to he conversation, join the Steering group or come along to our next event in February, more information for both can be found here