Local authorities and parish councils

Rural communities need suitable affordable homes.

In 2022 the average lower quartile house price was 8.8 times the average lower quartile earnings of people working in predominantly rural areas. This compares with 7.6 times in predominantly urban areas (excluding London)!

We can help you increase the amount of affordable homes in your community.

No-one is more knowledgeable about the needs of residents and regional data than local authorities, who have trusted Midlands Rural Housing to create access to better housing since 1997.

The insight we offer is vital to identifying housing needs and creating excellent affordable homes. Our success is testament to the strong relationships we have forged, particularly with parish councils, who enable us to engage with rural communities themselves.

What we can offer:

  • At the development stage we handle site identification, conduct housing needs surveys, and present the facts to allow stakeholders to make informed decisions. We can also help secure funding, lead the planning application process, and deliver community consultation in partnership with local authorities.
  • Midlands Rural Housing offers housing maintenance and housing management services.
  • Through our consultancy arm, we advise and train local authorities from the planning and development stage onwards. Talk to us about tailored good practice guides, individual village schemes, rural housing protocols, and step-by-step process documents. Tap into our extensive knowledge of rural housing to enhance a bid to become a local authority or housing management partner.
  • We connect local authorities, including parish councils, to relevant organisations in the public, private and third sectors to form robust partnerships early on - a solid foundation upon which to create great housing.

What our customers say:

Midlands Rural Housing have provided briefings for our borough and parish councillors for a number of years.

The briefings improve members’ understanding of the issues surrounding rural housing from identifying housing needs to the management of housing.

This awareness not only aids their work in their communities and in considering housing provision, but also when acting as the Local Planning Authority and considering policy matters such as site allocations.

For parish and town councillors, their understanding of the wider issues, needs and considerations is greatly improved and this in turn leads to better partnership working between the tiers of local government.

Becky Owen, Democratic Services Manager, Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council