How Winchester City Council can help deliver affordable housing in rural communities
Winchester City Council is working closely with Parish Councils across the District to see how affordable housing for rural communities can be delivered.
More than 10 representatives from various Parish Councils in the District attended an event at the Cart and Horses Pub in Kings Worthy to see how the City Council can help them identify and meet their affordable housing needs.
The event was attended by Winchester City Council Leader and Portfolio Holder for Housing Cllr Horrill along with Council officers, enablers from Action Hampshire, Hastoe Housing Association and the Wickham Community Land Trust.
The demand for affordable housing is high in rural areas, with many people being forced to leave areas where they have grown up or have family ties, or where they work because they simply cannot afford the housing. This can have an impact on the vitality of villages with changing demographics affecting the sustainability of local shops and services.
Winchester City Council is a partner in HARAH (Hampshire Alliance for Rural Affordable Housing) and works closely with Parish Councils to provide affordable housing schemes on exception sites. These homes are specifically provided for people on the housing register with a strong local connection to their Parish.
Corporate Head of Housing Richard Botham said:
“The Council in partnership with HARAH have supported the delivery of almost 200 affordable homes on small rural sites
across the District, including West Meon, Twyford and Kings Worthy, however the Council wants even more to ensure that rural communities have affordable housing options for local residents.”