Escape to the country: Call for evidence

Article

Escape to the country: Examining England's affordable housing crisis in the rural idyll

Call for evidence

Homes in rural areas are notably more expensive than those in urban areas, up to 50 per cent more expensive than all but the most densely populated urban areas, and are out of sync with local earnings, creating profound issues with affordability.

This is a significant problem. A failure to provide affordable housing in rural areas leads to a range of negative outcomes, contributing to inequality, deprivation, and homelessness. Moreover, this can lead to ‘rural flight’ and undermines the viability of rural communities and rural services.

In response, IPPR is working to develop a series of policy solutions aimed at tackling the shortage of affordable homes in rural areas. To support this, we are seeking evidence on, and policy ideas aimed at addressing the key issues we have identified. We are particularly interested in policy solutions specific to rural areas rather than system-wide reforms.

These key areas have been drawn out of consultation with key rural stakeholders, a literature review and desk based research. They are set out in the PDF document alongside a series of key questions.

In each key area we have set out a number of policy ideas that we are exploring, but we want respondents input on how we go beyond this and build a set of positive, progressive solutions to the broader challenges facing rural areas.

For more information and a full list of questions, please download the PDF.

Please send responses to Darren Baxter ([email protected]) no later than 30th April 2018.

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