Report highlights Cambridgeshire’s

hidden rural housing need

A new report commissioned by the team at Cambridgeshire ACRE has highlighted the hidden need for more rural houses in the county.

Beyond the Numbers: Rural Housing Need Across Cambridgeshire was published at the beginning of July to coincide with Rural Housing Week.

The report consolidates the findings of eight housing needs surveys that were carried out in the county during the last 12 months, and presents the results alongside testimonies from real Cambridgeshire residents.

Hayley Neal, Chief Executive, said: “The report explores the hidden nature of rural housing need, highlighting the challenges facing younger households struggling to remain in their communities, older residents unable to downsize and the shortage of smaller, affordable homes across many villages.”

More than 900 households were involved in the production of the report, along with many of the county’s parish councils, local authorities and housing associations.

The feedback and evidence gathered from the wide range of stakeholders showed that Cambridgeshire’s stock of affordable rural homes currently falls short of what is needed by 175.

Hayley said: “Whether the report is being read by a parish councillor, local authority officer, housing association, landowner or someone simply interested in rural housing, we hope it provides a valuable insight into one of the biggest challenges facing rural Cambridgeshire and Peterborough.”

The full report can be read online at www.cambsacre.org.uk.