HRH The Princess Royal has highlighted the urgency of the rural housing crisis, following statistics that reveal waiting lists for affordable rural housing increased by 20% between 2020-2023.
At an event hosted by English Rural and Action with Communities in Rural England, Princess Anne, Patron of English Rural, reportedly said a ‘coherent national programme’ is required to aid the delivery of sustainable and affordable housing projects in the UK.
Statistics from the National Housing Federation's Rural Life Monitor Report in 2024 indicate the increased waiting times for rural homes. Furthermore, English Rural confirmed that rural locations receive just 10% of all affordable homes built, despite 18% of the population residing in the countryside.
The Telegraph reported that HRH The Princess Royal framed affordable rural housing as a ‘fundamental requirement’ that ensures the vitality of the English countryside is preserved.
‘We aren’t just talking about houses — we’re talking about the people and communities that make our countryside live and breathe’, she said. Chief Executive of English Rural, Martin Collett commented: ‘These aren’t just numbers — these are lost opportunities, declining communities, and families forced to leave the places they call home.’
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