Affordable rural housing experts launch new website

The Rural Housing Alliance has launched a new website aimed at promoting the work of its housing association members.

The website at www.ruralhousingalliance.net provides a useful resource for potential partners looking to find out more about the provision of affordable rural homes; incorporating a directory of membership, latest member news and some useful example case studies. The Rural Housing Alliance, which is supported by the partnership of Rural Services Network and National Housing Federation, unites the primary providers of affordable rural homes across England.

The launch of the website coincides with the completion of a successful Rural Housing Week (11-17 July), which was coordinated by the National Housing Federation and involved a range of activity at local and national level; designed to promote the need for affordable rural homes. The week cumulated with a national conference Chaired by Countryfile Presenter, Tom Heap; with a line-up of speakers including David Orr, Baroness Williams, Lord Taylor, Baroness Warwick amongst others.

Visitors to the Rural Housing Alliance website will be able to download useful guides and publications whilst finding out how to contact members. Membership to the Rural Housing Alliance is broad, with a housing associations members ranging in size and specialisms. Members are united by a common pledge, which is drafted to offer a clear set of guarantees to local communities and project partners.

Commenting on the new website, Chairman of the Rural Housing Alliance, Jake Berriman, said: –

“Launching the new website is an exciting achievement for members of the Rural Housing Alliance. The commitment to working to provide affordable homes in rural communities is more crucial now than ever, the challenges are possible greater but through the continued mutual support and sharing of innovation, those within the Rural Housing Alliance are also taking advantage of opportunities. The website will help to promote our work and collective commitment to the shared objective of delivering much needed affordable rural homes.”

Ends

Notes to editors

· The Rural Housing Alliance, which works in partnership with the Rural Services Network and National Housing Federation, is a group of housing associations that develop and manage affordable homes in rural areas across England. The aim is to work together to share innovation, good practice and ideas, advocate the need for affordable rural homes and provide a unified voice on key issues. Additionally, we enable rural housing associations to compare and learn from each others’ work in areas such as design and sustainability.

The Rural Services Network is an organisation devoted to safeguarding and improving services in rural communities across England. It’s mission is:

• To represent the case for a better deal for service provision
• To facilitate the exchange of useful and relevant information
• To develop and share best practice

It is the most comprehensive rural network in England, and the only national network representing service providers, community representatives and national organisations. 
Our goal is to give rural areas a louder voice and bring rural thoughts and concerns together. For more details, visit www.rsnonline.org.uk

· The National Housing Federation is the voice of affordable housing in England. It represents the work of housing associations and campaign for better housing.

Press enquiries to Martin Collett on– 020 7820 7933 or mobile 07552 126681.