Only one in five rural local authorities have planning targets for building new social homes despite a shortage of new houses in rural areas.
A new report by CPRE has found that nearly 80% of rural councils have consistently under-supplied new homes compared to the number of new households.
There are currently more than 300,000 people on waiting lists for social housing in rural England.
The countryside charity found that only 20% of rural local authorities have set specific targets for social rent housing in their Local Plans, and several have no plans to build any.
CPRE is calling for the compulsory inclusion of social homes in all new housing developments and more support for councils to deliver them.
CPRE head of planning, Paul Miner, said: ‘Not enough priority is being given in rural local plans to building social homes, so Angela Rayner needs to step in and make it a clear expectation that we see more genuinely affordable homes in every new housing estate in rural England.’
