New rural developments help meet demand for affordable housing
#RuralHousingWeek
Muir is helping to meet the increasing demand for affordable, rural housing through the development of 27 new family homes.
The homes, which are spread across several developments, offer a range of affordable housing options to meet a variety of needs.
The need for new homes is being highlighted as part of Rural Housing Week (6-12 July)
In Tarvin, Cheshire, Muir recently took handover of 8 brand-new properties on the Saxon Heath development, which are available for affordable rent through the Trust Home Choice scheme – all of which have now been allocated.
Muir has been working closely with the local Parish Council to ensure that people with strong links to Tarvin are being given priority when it comes to letting the properties.
In Ingleton, Yorkshire, 6 new affordable homes are available for rent as part of the Burnmoor Close development. Whilst in Little Leigh, Cheshire, eight homes have have been built in partnership with Bridgestone Construction and Cheshire West and Chester Council.
The Poole Fields development, which is a mixture shared ownership and affordable homes for rent, was made possible thanks to a grant from the HCA.
As well as affordable homes for rent, local people will also be able to buy their own new affordable home through Muir’s shared ownership scheme (part buy, part rent).
Five new homes have been made available under this scheme, including two properties at St George’s Place, Beeston, along with three at Nomansheath in Malpas, Cheshire.
Rural Housing Week aims to aims to demonstrate the important role affordable housing plays in maintaining rural communities.
In rural districts in England, there was a shortfall of nearly 11,000 affordable homes built in 2014/15, compared to those needed to keep up with projected demand.
Figures released by the National Housing Federation also reveal that, in more than 70% of rural districts in England, the average starter home costs more than 10 times the average first time buyer’s annual wage
David Robinson, Director of Development at Muir said:
“More and more people are being priced out of living in the same area as their friends and family, due to the lack of affordable housing options.
“That is why it is important that housing association’s such as Muir continue to work with our stakeholders to deliver good quality, affordable homes for local people.
“Schemes such as these are also playing a vital role in helping the rural economy as well. By keeping friends and families together, we are ensuring continued demand for key services such as shops, schools, and post offices.”