The locations of six new "enablers" to develop affordable housing in rural Wales have been revealed today.

At an event with the WLGA and Community Housing Cymru in the Royal Welsh Show, the Deputy Minister for Housing, Jocelyn Davies, announced more details on the extension of the 'Rural Enabler' scheme.

£400,000 will be available for the Rural Housing Development scheme this year. The Welsh Assembly Government will provide £200,000 and the WLGA and CHC will provide match funding of £200,000.

She said the Welsh Assembly Government's Rural Housing Development Scheme will provide funding to expand an already successful set of pilot 'Rural Enabler' posts into a comprehensive resource across Wales.

Ms Davies said: "The expanded network will play an important role in helping to 'rural proof' our policies, providing an important stakeholder group for rural housing interests at community level, in addition to existing groups we liaise with.


"This network is a partnership between the Assembly, Local Government and Housing Associations. This is a partnership which must come together with a common commitment, flexibility and creativity to address the housing challenges we face.

"The recent Rowntree Commission's report noted the problems in rural communities relating to the provision of affordable housing. These include the lack of available land, the small scale of development leading to higher costs and the need to understand the needs and ambitions of local people."

Ms Davies added: "Affordability is a particular problem in rural areas as a result of a combination limited supply, low local wages and high demand often from affluent incomers making the perfectly natural choice to move for a fantastic environment and a fulfilling way of life.

"This has an impact the social and cultural sustainability of some of our rural communities. Young people must be given the chance to see a future in their own community, somewhere to prosper and bring up their own families. Older people must have the option of remaining in their communities as their housing needs change. That is why the One Wales coalition agreement has a strong theme of meeting the needs of rural Wales."

(CD/JM)