Work of the Rural Housing Enabler

• Raising awareness and involvement of communities across the County in respect of affordable housing

• Supporting the community, being the outside person bringing an unbiased view

• Discussing/conducting Housing Needs Surveys or where more appropriate drop in sessions to obtain information

• Working with partners to facilitate the process

• Lobbying across a full spectrum of areas to raise the profile i.e. local politicians, Members of Parliament, CRC, Rural Housing Commission, media etcpossible links to CRC website etc

• Seeking out and considering new innovative solutions to enabling and delivering affordable housing

• Training for Parish Councils

• Sharing good practice and discussing issues with other RHE’s in the South West, meet on a regular basis with Government Office South West.

• Disseminate good practice to partners

• Enable a more strategic approach to rural issues

RHE Achievements

• Development of leaflet

• 28 Housing Needs surveys conducted to the end of July 2006

• Many more communities given advise and supported

• Publish a bimonthly e-bulletin to partners and interested parties

• Research into Community Land Trusts and Village Trusts

• Research into “ rural sustainability issues “

• A number of sites for development have been identified

• Developing links with Landowners across the County

• Made comment on current issues i.e.

  • Devon Rural Strategy

  • Affordable Rural Housing Commission

  • Regional Spatial Strategy

  • Local Authorities/Dartmoor National Parks Local Development Frameworks

Bulletins

The purpose of the bulletin is to keep stakeholders up to date with whats happening and what is up and coming.

RHE Bulletin No.3