Midlands Rural Housing has recently (2026) established a rural housing steering group for Warwickshire and Solihull following appointment of a rural partnerships officer and funding from Action with Communities in Rural England (ACRE).
What is a rural steering group
Rural housing steering groups work to build partnerships between those involved in and impacted by the initial stages of rural housing projects. These regional groups are often organised and chaired by a Rural Housing Enabler or Rural Partnerships Officer.
Find out more about rural housing enabling
Steering groups share best practice and identify common barriers in the initial stages of a rural housing scheme. Stakeholders can then work together to overcome these barriers.
Who are stakeholders
- Rural communities, which are villages/parishes are considered rural if they have less than 3,000 residents.
- Registered providers of social housing, local authorities and organisations that represent landowners and rural communities.
The initial stages of rural housing projects
- Recognising a housing need.
- Evidencing a housing need through housing needs surveys.
- Identifying potential rural exception sites and an appropriate registered provider.
Know of a rural housing need?
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