Blog: Help me bring about affordable rural homes

24th May 2024

By Vince Walsh, Rural Housing Enabler at CAN

(pictured right with Tom Johnston, Communities CAN Coordinator on left visiting Holy Island last month)

I started as a Rural Housing Enabler last December 2023 working for CAN and am part of a network of other Rural Housing Enablers across the country.

It's been a long time since Northumberland had a Rural Housing Enabler service. The government acknowledges in recent years there has been a steady decline in new affordable rural homes across the country. It was decided to reestablish Rural Housing Enablers as part of the government’s rural Levelling Up agenda. Rural Housing Enablers are funded by DEFRA till March 25 and administered by ACRE.

Photo caption: Vince (centre) in a previous role developing a community-led housing project in Stocksfield.

This is an exciting opportunity for me personally to use my development experience and extensive contacts, having worked in affordable housing for over 30 years in various Housing Associations across the North of England. I look forward to building on these existing relationships and adding new working relationships within Northumberland.

I am keen to work closely with Parish, Town and County Councils, developers, landowners, and Housing Associations in Northumberland to deliver new, affordable housing.

Enabling the delivery of rural housing is both challenging and rewarding. I aim to establish a rural pipeline of projects, from inception to securing planning consent, through community engagement with key stakeholders. This requires my involvement with neighbourhood planning, housing needs assessments, site identification, liaison with Parish Councils and promoting rural housing across Northumberland.

I find being a Rural Housing Enabler really enjoyable, as every day is very different, and I love travelling across Northumberland to find the next great opportunity for rural affordable homes.

In my next blog, I will be sharing some tips on identifying land for potential housing projects in your village such as good site access from a current highway. 

If you'd like to talk to me about a potential project or ask me any questions please do get in touch. 

Thanks

Vince Walsh

Rural Housing Enabler

Email: vincewalsh@ca-north.org.uk

Tel: 0744 5425294