Aims

This group has been set up by the Housing Corporation, at the request of Government,  with the purpose of:

1. Advising the Government on issues relating to the delivery mechanisms for affordable rural housing, taking into account the conclusions of the Affordable Rural Housing Commission, relevant national policies and emerging thinking of regional housing stakeholders
2. Promoting joint working between key stakeholders
3. Exploring and promoting innovative approaches to the delivery of affordable homes in rural areas.
    

Objectives

Current Delivery Mechanisms
The group will monitor, and seek ways of improving, the effectiveness of current delivery mechanisms.

Innovation
The group will monitor and encourage the development of innovative ways of securing affordable rural housing such as Community Land Trusts,  land swap levy and community bonds, building on approaches being pioneered by stakeholders including the Housing Corporation, English Partnerships and local government. 

Good Practice
The group will provide a forum for sharing good practice in delivering affordable housing in rural areas and promote the wider dissemination of successful approaches.
The group  will seek to further its work, particularly its Objective of promoting innovation, by drawing on a range of financial sources, including the Housing Corporation's Innovation and Good Practice programme. 

Logisitics

The group will meet quarterly, rotating meetings between regions facing significant rural housing challenges.  It will report once a year on its work to Ministers at Communities and Local Government.  The Secretariat to the Group will be provided by the Housing Corporation.

Membership

The group will be chaired by a member of the Housing Corporation Board.  Other members will be drawn from senior-level representatives of agencies with an interest in the delivery of affordable rural housing including:

• Local Authorities
• Commission for Rural Communities
• National Parks
• Housing associations
• Representatives of rural interest groups
• Communities and Local Government 
• Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

The group will seek to build effective links to beyond its core membership, for example with the Regional Rural Affairs Fora.