Communities in Cambridgeshire’s rural areas are set to benefit from a new package of government funding announced in November designed to unlock affordable housing opportunities.

Defra has committed £2.5m funding to pay for a network of Rural Housing Enablers – independent advisors who work with communities to support the development of affordable housing schemes in the 2024/25 financial year. The advisors will help identify suitable development opportunities in communities, and support site owners and community representatives to navigate the planning system and create developments in rural areas that meet the needs of local people.

The scheme, which is being delivered by Action with Communities in Rural England (ACRE) on behalf of Defra, will help boost the supply of new, affordable homes across England. Cambridgeshire ACRE, the local ACRE Network member, is one of the first beneficiaries of the funding and will be upscaling its rural affordable housing work as a result. The organisation already works with a partnership consisting of the county’s local authorities and registered social landlords to bring forward small affordable housing schemes and this new funding will allow the partnership to further extend its work.

Rural Affairs Minister Lord Benyon said:

“All too often people are unable to live near to the village where they work or were brought up. We are making it a priority that rural communities have access to the housing they need.

“Our support for rural housing advisors will help develop small scale affordable housing schemes that fit in with the local area. Together with our policies to improve transport, connectivity and access to public services, this is another demonstration of our commitment to unleash opportunity in rural areas.”

Kirsten Bennett, Cambridgeshire ACRE’s Chief Executive, said:

“We’re thrilled to be delivering this programme locally. Many people in rural communities understand there’s a need for more affordable housing but they are often opposed to large commercial developments that neither fit in with the area, nor create homes that go to those in genuine need.

“The decision by the government to back Rural Housing Enablers is hugely positive news for us locally, as it means Cambridgeshire ACRE can support more rural communities in the county with independent support and advice to appraise the need for affordable homes locally, navigate complicated planning rules and work with more socially minded developers to bring forward suitable schemes.”

Communities interested in exploring a small development of affordable homes for local people are encouraged to contact Cambridgeshire ACRE Senior Rural Housing Enabler, Jenna Brame, for an initial conversation via jenna.brame@cambsacre.org.uk.