Together for Rural Affordable Housing Herefordshire

Building a Collaborative Response to a Hidden Rural Crisis

Rural affordable housing is one of the most significant yet overlooked challenges facing Herefordshire. 

Although housing need is often viewed as an urban issue, recent national research demonstrates that the need for affordable housing is higher in rural communities than in urban areas when assessed on a per-capita basis. Small rural parishes experience some of the highest levels of unmet need, while having access to significantly less affordable housing stock. (rsnonline.org.uk)

The consequences are visible across Herefordshire: young people unable to remain in their communities, local employers struggling to recruit staff, older residents unable to downsize locally, and essential services facing declining populations. Rural affordable housing is not simply a housing issue; it is essential infrastructure that supports thriving communities, local economies and community resilience. (rsnonline.org.uk)

Recognising that no single organisation can solve this challenge alone, the Rural Housing Enabler Project at Community First Herefordshire & Worcestershire launched the Together for Rural Affordable Housing initiative. The aim was simple but ambitious: bring together everyone with a stake in the issue and create a space for honest conversation, shared learning and collaborative action.

The Journey So Far

Since its launch, the initiative has convened a series of multi-stakeholder events, workshops and meetings involving parish councils, local authorities, housing associations, community-led housing organisations, developers, landowners, educational institutions, local councillors, community groups and national sector representatives.

The first event focused on understanding the challenge, sharing experiences, and identifying barriers to delivery. The second event moved the conversation forward, exploring practical solutions and finding opportunities for collaboration. Discussions have centred on:

• Understanding the true scale of rural housing need.

• Barriers within planning, funding, and delivery systems.

• Community concerns and perceptions.

• The role of housing associations, developers and landowners.

• Community-led housing approaches.

• Funding and policy reform.

• Building a stronger delivery pipeline for rural affordable homes.

  
  

A consistent theme emerging from these discussions has been the need to move from isolated projects towards a coordinated system of delivery, where organisations work together around shared objectives rather than operating independently.

Learning from Successful Models

The initiative has explored successful approaches from across England, including well-established rural community-led housing projects in places such as Eastington, Cornwall and Lyme Regis CLT’s. These examples demonstrate that collaboration between local authorities, housing providers, community organisations and rural housing enablers can significantly improve housing delivery by creating shared pipelines, coordinated engagement and stronger strategic leadership. (CLTN)

Research and national evaluations also show the value of Rural Housing Enablers acting as trusted independent brokers, bringing communities, local authorities and delivery partners together to overcome barriers and progress schemes that might otherwise never happen. (Research Repository)

The Herefordshire Demonstration Scheme

One of the most exciting developments arising from the initiative is the proposal for a live demonstration project — a practical example of how rural affordable housing can be delivered differently.

The vision is to create a small rural affordable housing scheme that captures best practice in community engagement, design, sustainability, funding and delivery. The project would provide a real-world model that can be replicated across Herefordshire and beyond.

However, progressing the demonstration scheme has highlighted a familiar challenge within rural housing delivery: the ‘chicken and egg’ dilemma.

Partners are understandably seeking certainty before committing resources. Funders want evidence of delivery potential before investing. Communities want reassurance before supporting proposals. Delivery organisations need resources before they can undertake the work required to demonstrate viability.

Breaking this cycle requires a degree of shared risk, leadership and trust. It requires organisations and individuals willing to take calculated leaps of faith, recognising that innovation rarely emerges from certainty alone. The opportunity exists, but moving forward requires collective commitment.

Towards a Formal Rural Housing Partnership

Alongside the demonstration scheme, a steering group has emerged from the Together for Rural Affordable Housing initiative. Initially established as an informal forum for discussion and collaboration, we are now exploring how it could evolve into a more formal Rural Housing Partnership for Herefordshire. This work has developed from a shared desire to move beyond the ‘chicken and egg’ dilemma, enabling the demonstration scheme and wider delivery activity to progress. The concept is not new and has already been successful in areas such as Gloucestershire and Essex.

Drawing inspiration from successful partnership models elsewhere, the ambition is to create a long-term structure that:

• Coordinates housing delivery activity.

• Shares intelligence and opportunities.

• Influences policy and funding.

• Supports community-led solutions.

• Strengthens relationships between stakeholders.

• Creates a stronger pipeline of deliverable rural affordable housing projects.

  
  

Such a partnership would provide the strategic framework needed to move from conversations about rural affordable housing towards measurable delivery and lasting impact.

A Call to Action

The rural housing challenge is too important to be left to any one organisation, sector or community. Everyone has a role to play.

Whether you are a parish councillor, landowner, housing provider, developer, community organisation, local business, policymaker or resident, your voice and involvement matter.

Together for Rural Affordable Housing has demonstrated that there is both appetite and energy for change. The next step is turning that momentum into action.

If you care about the future of Herefordshire’s rural communities, now is the time to get involved: join the conversation, share your experiences and help build the partnerships needed to deliver the homes local people need.

Together, we can ensure that future generations are able to live, work and thrive in the communities they call home.