Rural communities destroyed by inflated house prices
Jul 7 2009 by Ben Guy, The Journal
The federation’s research points to the fact that 86% of the North’s most expensive areas for housing are rural.
And its report, A Place in the Country?, states that these prices make it almost impossible for locals to get on the housing ladder, forcing more and more young people out of their home areas.
A spokesman for the federation, which represents 1,300 independent, not-for-profit housing associations in England, added: “The North’s rural communities house as many people as Leeds, Manchester, Newcastle, Sheffield and Liverpool put together.
“Yet, the federation’s report A Place in the Country? reveals the dire consequences for residents who can be short-changed by national and regional policy makers.
“Because rural incomes are well below average, local families and young adults are increasingly being priced out of their home villages, undermining critical local services and amenities, like schools and shops.
“The federation is campaigning for more affordable rural housing to stop rural England turning into a theme park for visitors and the wealthy.
“The federation is calling on the Government to create a Northern Rural Way Initiative. A Northern Rural Way would provide a sharper, pan-regional focus on rural communities.
“It will also provide the resources for piloting new initiatives and create a resource for the North to combat the current economic crisis.”
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