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Rural Housing Enabler Project
How can we help?
Across Herefordshire and Worcestershire, rising house prices are pushing local families, key workers and young people out of the rural communities they call home.
The Rural Housing Enablement (RHE) Scheme exists to change that. By supporting the development of small-scale, affordable homes tailored to local needs, the scheme helps villages stay vibrant, connected, and sustainable without large-scale development that changes their character.
Your local Rural Housing Enabler is profiling villages and conducting Housing Needs Surveys as well as guiding communities through planning and delivery, they are there at every step. With the housing crisis continuing to grow, now is the time for parishes to get involved and have a real say in the future of their village.
RHE Activity
See what we have been up to - get in touch to add your project to our map.
Meet the Team
Principle Rural Housing Enabler
Rebecca Seignior
With many years experience in housing including extensive experience in community-led housing.
Passionate about strengthening rural communities, Rebecca combines practical project delivery with strategic partnership working. She leads the Together for Rural Affordable Housing initiative, is helping to develop a Rural Housing Partnership and demonstration schemes, and is working with Rural Housing Enablers nationally to improve the measurement of rural housing need and programme impact.
Rural Housing Enabler
Nikki Deacon
Drawing on her experience as a parish councillor and her strong understanding of rural communities, Nikki works with local residents, parish councils and partner organisations to support the development of affordable homes for local people.
Passionate about helping rural communities thrive, Nikki is committed to building positive relationships and finding practical solutions to local housing challenges.
Rural Housing Enabler Support
Catherine Gennard
With a background in environmental science and experience as a ward councillor Catherine brings valuable skills in data collection, analysis and community engagement, alongside a strong understanding of sustainability and local government.
Catherine supports the promotion, delivery and data needs of the project. She is passionate about using evidence and collaboration to support thriving, sustainable rural communities.
Together for Rural Affordable Housing
Together for Rural Affordable Housing Herefordshire brings partners together to tackle one of the county’s most pressing rural challenges: the shortage of affordable homes for local people.
Across Herefordshire, many young people, families, older residents and key workers are struggling to remain in the communities they call home. This affects not only individual households, but also local businesses, services and the long-term resilience of rural communities.
Led by the Rural Housing Enabler Project at Community First Herefordshire & Worcestershire, the initiative has created a space for parish councils, housing providers, landowners, developers, community groups, local authorities and residents to share ideas, identify barriers and explore practical solutions.
Work so far has highlighted the need for a more joined-up approach to rural affordable housing delivery. This includes better evidence of local need, stronger community engagement, shared learning, and a clearer pipeline of schemes that can be delivered with confidence.
A key ambition is to develop a Herefordshire demonstration scheme: a small rural affordable housing project that showcases good practice in partnership working, design, sustainability and community involvement. Alongside this, partners are exploring the creation of a formal Rural Housing Partnership to support long-term delivery across the county.
We welcome involvement from anyone who cares about the future of Herefordshire’s rural communities. Whether you are a parish councillor, landowner, housing provider, developer, community organisation, business or resident, your voice can help shape practical solutions.
Get involved and help deliver the affordable homes rural Herefordshire needs.
More Details
Get in Touch:
rhe@comfirst.org.uk
