Dorset Council has announced that, over the course of the last financial year, more than 500 affordable homes have been built for communities.
Coming during Rural Housing Week, the announcement confirms that residents are benefitting from 508 new affordable homes including rented and shared ownership properties. These were delivered by both the council and its partners in rural villages across the county, with most of the homes receiving financial support from Homes England.
The council is being supported to improve affordable housing provision by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, with this coming in the form of collaborative working. As part of this, a department sponsored Rural Enabling Housing Officer works within the council for one day a week to support officers that work within the Housing Enabling and Delivery Team.
DEFRA support comes as part of a wider plan to enhance affordable housing stock in rural communities, whilst helping to stem the flow of rural workers and their families moving away that has been caused by house prices and rent increases.
Corporate Director for Housing at Dorset Council, Andrew Billany, said:
“Our villages and rural communities need to have homes that are affordable for local people. At Dorset Council, with our partner organisations, we work hard to make that happen. Rural housing week is a timely reminder of the commitment we have to increasing the number of affordable homes across all of the Dorset Council area.
“An affordable and decent home is essential for Dorset people and families to live well and thrive. This is true for our villages as well as our towns, so we are delighted to be supporting Rural Housing Week to promote that fact.”
Within the coming months, further sites are set to be completed, continuing the council’s plan to deliver for its rural communities.
Image credit: iStock
