The number of households classified as homeless in rural towns and villages across England has increased by 85% over the past year, according to an analysis of new government data, published today (12 September) by CPRE, the countryside charity [1].

Nationally, homelessness has seen a significant increase over the past year, rising by 45% from 79,715 homeless households in 2018 to 116,001 households in 2019, according to figures released today by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) [2].

However, rural communities have experienced a surge in homelessness almost double the national increase, rising from 9,312 to 17,212 over the past year. A failure by successive governments to address housing issues that are specific to rural areas, combined with a wider lack of funding for social housebuilding have created a perfect storm that has resulted in this hidden housing crisis, says CPRE. While experiencing homelessness is devastating for individuals and families wherever they live, CPRE highlight the often overlooked consequences of becoming homeless in a market town or village – where support services for those in need tend to be fewer and further between than in larger urban areas. Without housing people can afford, we won’t get the thriving rural communities that CPRE wants to see.

An analysis by CPRE earlier this year showed that there are now 173,584 families on council waiting lists for social housing in rural authorities. However, just 1,336 homes for social rent were built in those areas last year. If that rate of building were to continue, it would take 130 years to meet the current backlog on rural social housing waiting lists alone [3].

Lois Lane, housing campaigner at CPRE, said:

‘For too long the housing crisis has long been considered an issue affecting only urban areas, but this analysis shows the impact of a long-term failure to rural-proof housing policies on communities living in the countryside.

‘The alarming rise in homelessness right across the country is a catastrophic demonstration of how government housing policies have failed society as a whole, and rural areas in particular.

‘The government must urgently increase the proportion of housing spending used to fund the construction of social homes for rent, with funding for rural areas ring-fenced in line with the proportion of the population who live there. This is the only way we can stop more families in the countryside from being forced out of their homes.’

In June this year, CPRE, in a coalition of housing groups and charities – including the National Housing Federation, Shelter and Crisis – called on the government to invest £12.8 billion a year in housing funding over the next ten years. The investment would provide 1.45 million social homes to rent and shared ownership properties to buy across the country, bringing an end to the housing crisis [4].

ENDS

Please call our Media Relations Lead, Faith Mall, on 020 7981 2819/ 077 3933 2796 for further information

Notes to Editor:

1. 

2. Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG): Statutory Homelessness Statistics. https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/homelessness-statistics#statutory-homelessness

3. Social housing crisis in the countryside as waiting list tops 100 years
A CPRE analysis of new Government data has revealed it would take 130 years to house those on the waiting list, given the current rate at which new social housing is being built in rural areas. The countryside charity fears the lack of focus on the housing needs of people in rural areas is fuelling a particular crisis in the countryside.

4. £12.8bn needed every year to end the housing crisis

CPRE is the countryside charity that campaigns to promote, enhance and protect the countryside for everyone’s benefit, wherever they live. With a local CPRE in every county, we work with communities, businesses and government to find positive and lasting ways to help the countryside thrive - today and for generations to come.
Founded in 1926, President: Emma Bridgewater, Patron: Her Majesty The Queen. www.cpre.org.uk