News Release

Lower income families may be forced to move as a result of ever increasing house prices in rural areas

24/11/04
Media Contact: Sandra White 020 7393 2094
Ref:64/04

Average house prices in rural areas of Yorkshire and Humber are 6.6 times greater than the average household income compared to five times greater in urban areas.

These are some of the findings of the report Rural Housing in the Yorkshire and Humber Region, funded jointly by the Housing Corporation and the Countryside Agency.

The report looks into the availability of affordable housing to identify the areas in greatest need. Research findings include:

• Lower income families may be forced to move away to find affordable housing.
• House prices are up to 11.5 times higher than the average household income in parts of North Yorkshire.
• Rural wards with the greatest need for affordable homes are located across a range of local authorities including areas in Hambleton, Harrogate, Scarborough Richmondshire, Ryedale and Craven.
• People living in the areas of Richmondshire and Craven have the most difficulty in gaining access to affordable housing.
• There are also significant but lower order difficulties to be found in a number of rural wards in East Riding of Yorkshire, North and North East Lincs, and on some fringes of West Yorkshire.

Mike Barning, Countryside Agency said: "It's the first time we have had a comprehensive assessment of where the rural areas in greatest need are. The research provides a clear and accurate picture of rural needs and will be a valuable tool for the Regional Housing Board, the Housing Corporation and the Rural Housing Enabler in providing advice on where efforts should be prioritised."

Rick Elliot, Housing Corporation, Head of Investment for Yorkshire and Humber Regions, said: "We've always known how difficult it is for families to find affordable housing in rural areas. This report shows us just how much more difficult this can be in more deep rural areas."

"Now we need to work on an action plan and investment programme which tackles these problems effectively."

For further information contact the Housing Corporation's Leeds Office:

Rick Elliot, Head of Investment
Telephone: 0113 233 7108
email: rick.elliot@housingcorp.gsx.gov.uk

Ann Barker, Senior Information Officer
Telephone: 0113 233 7106
email: ann.barker@housingcorp.gsx.gov.uk

Ends

Notes to editors:

• A full copy of the report is available from www.york.ac.uk/inst/chp/Projects/rural-yorks-humb.htm
• The report 'Rural Housing in the Yorkshire and Humber Region' has been produced by Mark Bevan and David Rhodes, Centre for Housing Policy, University of York
• The Housing Corporation is the Government agency responsible for regulating and investing in over 2,000 housing associations in England. Its biggest ever investment programme of £3.3 billion for 2004-06 will fund over 67,000 affordable homes. 16,000 of these will go to key workers and 25% will use some form of modern methods of construction.
• The Countryside Agency operates a Rural Housing Enabler Programme. Rural Housing Enablers are jointly funded by the Countryside Agency, Housing Corporation, Local Authorities and Housing Associations and work with rural communities to identify their local housing needs, enable the provision of affordable housing and influence regional and local strategies that impact on affordable rural housing.