DEMAND for social housing in rural areas such as Exmoor and West Somerset is growing more than 10 times faster than in towns.

Research by the National Housing Federation (NHF) showed the number of rural households on local authority waiting lists in England increased by 31 per cent between 2019 and 2022, while in urban areas the increase was three per cent.

During the research period, rural areas in England saw 5,953 new homes built for social rent, while the waiting list increased by 46,318.

The findings come after Withycombe Parish Council chairman Cllr Kerrie Thorne highlighted the issue of people without a local connection being allocated social housing in her Exmoor village.

Cllr Thorne said a family whose mother was born in the village and played an important part in the life of the community was now faced with moving away after a home which would have been suitable for them was instead given to somebody from outside the area.

She said Somerset Council and Magna Housing were being presented with an 111-signature petition and 49 letters of support calling for the council’s Homefinder service policies to be revised to include a ‘local connection’ clause.

NHF chief executive Kate Henderson said the findings of the organisation’s research were ‘a stark reminder of the particular challenges rural communities face in terms of access to truly affordable social housing’.

An aerial view of a rural community.
An aerial view of a rural community. (Rural Services Network)

Ms Henderson said: “While we know there is a chronic shortage of social homes nationwide, the issue is particularly acute in these areas, often driving families apart and leaving younger people and those on low incomes simply unable to find any home they can afford.

“Rural communities, like anywhere else, need people who are able to contribute in different ways to ensure they can thrive.

“However, teachers, social care workers, nurses, and workers in hospitality and agriculture are being priced out of the market, unable to afford a home close to their work.

“We need to make sure that people are able to live, work, and bring up their children in a quality home they can afford.

“We need a long-term plan for housing that includes specific strategies for supporting rural communities.

“Building the homes people need, where they need them, will contribute to both the vitality of these communities as well as being a huge boost to the economy at this critical time.”

English Rural Coalition chief executive Martin Collett said: “The 31 per cent increase in waiting lists for rural social homes underlines a crisis we urgently need to address.

“We are seeing an alarming gap between housing need and provision, with rural communities disproportionately affected.

“Affordable rural housing is vital for thriving communities, and it must be prioritised.

“We call on the Government to act decisively and place affordable rural housing at the forefront of their agenda.”