Claire Morgan, our specialist in Rural Housing gives her reflections on the need for housing and the importance of raising awareness during Rural Housing Week 6-10 July.
I’ll be honest, when I was asked to join the housing team, I wondered how building more houses aligned with Action Hampshire’s objectives and values. It’s very different to most of the other projects we undertake such as Raising Voices in Research and Communities about Cancer.
I soon realised though that it’s about so much more than building houses, it’s about building fair and inclusive communities which is right at the heart of what we do.
Sadly, these days, conversations about housing often reference the government’s £36bn housing plan, the rise and fall of prices and how to get a leg on the ‘property ladder’.
I feel that that these stories miss the fundamental point of why housing matters and the impact our homes have on our lives. I recently read The Joseph Rowntree Foundation’s Communications Toolkit for Housing and noticed how it’s narrative clearly resonates with the work we do as Rural Housing Enablers. One line particularly stuck with me:
“Decent, affordable homes support our mental and physical health. When our well-being is supported, we’re able to thrive in our work and, as a result, contribute more to our society and economy.”
We support communities to help local people stay in the neighbourhood they are connected to, by working with parish councillors, landowners, district councils, developers and housing associations. So many people cannot afford to live in the places where they grew up or work. Without affordable housing, villages risk losing schools, shops, pubs and community life.
This Rural Housing Week I hope you will join with us in raising awareness of the need to create homes for young families, key workers and older people so that we can continue to strengthen and grow communities.
Follow this link to find out more about Rural Affordable Housing
Follow this link for the Joseph Rowntree Foundation’s Framing Toolkit
