As we close the chapter on 2024, English Rural looks back with pride on an extraordinary year of milestones, advocacy, and meaningful impact across the rural communities we serve. This year has seen us expand our reach, deliver sustainable housing solutions, and engage more deeply with residents, partners, and policymakers to address the pressing challenges of affordable rural housing. These achievements have not only strengthened the foundation of our work but also laid the groundwork for an even brighter rural future.
2024 marked significant progress in our core mission of providing affordable rural homes for local people. We successfully delivered 32 new affordable homes across rural England, surpassing targets and setting new benchmarks for quality and sustainability. Among these were our first ‘A’ rated energy-efficient properties, underscoring our commitment to innovative and environmentally conscious rural housing solutions.
Notable developments include Hambledon’s thoughtfully designed homes, which prioritised energy efficiency and sustainability, and Carpenter’s Yard in Kent, a pioneering Community Land Trust project. Opened by our Patron, HRH The Princess Royal, this development exemplifies community collaboration and innovative rural housing solutions. We also completed a scheme in West Kingsdown, where cutting-edge energy technologies like Air Source Heat Pumps were employed to enhance sustainability and reduce costs for residents. Additionally, we began new development projects in other rural areas, further extending our reach and commitment to supporting local communities.
Furthermore, our expansion into Cambridgeshire through the merger with the Cambridgeshire Cottage Housing Society (TCCHS) has enabled us to better serve rural communities in the region, adding further capacity to our development and management operations. This merger highlights our strategic approach to growth, ensuring that no rural community is left behind in our pursuit of housing equity.
Our approach has consistently focused on delivering homes that reflect the unique character of rural England, ensuring that they blend into their surroundings while meeting the highest standards of quality and energy efficiency. By leveraging innovative designs and sustainable practices, we have set a precedent for affordable housing that benefits both residents and the environment.
Our residents remain at the heart of everything we do, and their feedback continues to shape our priorities and improvements. This year’s Tenant Satisfaction Measures (TSMs) revealed notable advancements that reflect the positive experiences of those we serve.
Highlights include:
✅ Overall Satisfaction: 77%, significantly above the sector average of 71% and an improvement from last year’s 74%.
✅ Repairs Satisfaction: 79%, a leap from last year’s 70%, reflecting our focus on delivering timely and effective maintenance services.
✅ Ease of Engagement: 82%, demonstrating our dedication to being accessible and responsive to residents’ needs.
We also addressed areas for growth, including communal areas, grounds maintenance and complaint handling, implementing revised strategies and increasing oversight to deliver better outcomes. Investments in resident communication channels, such as improved digital channels and community engagement initiatives, have further enhanced transparency and trust.
These results are a testament to the continued efforts of our teams, who work hard to ensure residents feel safe, valued, and supported. We remain committed to further enhancing our services to meet and exceed expectations. Additionally, regular workshops and feedback sessions have been implemented to ensure ongoing resident involvement in shaping our policies and services.
Advocacy has been a cornerstone of our work in 2024, as we continue to champion the housing needs of rural communities. Our contributions to the National Planning Policy Framework review emphasised the importance of affordable rural housing in national policy discussions. Additionally, we engaged directly with DEFRA, advocating for the continuation of funding for Rural Housing Enablers, whose work is vital for fostering sustainable rural developments.
During Rural Housing Week 2024, we launched a compelling manifesto and hosted events, including the unveiling of the Rural Housing Design Guide. With a foreword by HRH The Princess Royal, the guide is set to revolutionise rural housing design, ensuring that new developments are both beautiful and functional. We also joined sector leaders at national forums, including CPRE’s Rural Affordable Housing Event at the House of Lords, to advocate for more equitable and impactful policies to support rural housing initiatives.
Our groundbreaking campaign, “Homelessness in the Countryside – A Hidden Crisis,” has brought national attention to rural homelessness, culminating in our “Campaign of the Year” award at the Affordable Housing Awards. This work has laid the foundation for continued collaboration with the Rural Homelessness Counts Coalition to tackle hidden homelessness and improve support systems. Additionally, we initiated partnerships with local councils to better address housing affordability and availability challenges, further embedding advocacy in our operations.
Sustainability remains a central pillar of our mission, and 2024 has been no exception. We submitted a bid to the Warm Homes Fund to secure investment for renewable energy measures in homes with below ‘C’ EPC ratings. This aligns with our ambitious target of ensuring all properties meet or exceed EPC ‘C’ by 2029.
Our focus on sustainability extends beyond energy efficiency. By adopting innovative building techniques and materials, we aim to create homes that minimise environmental impact while maximising comfort and affordability for residents. This year, we also signed the Damp and Mould Charter, reinforcing our commitment to proactive maintenance and healthier living conditions.
These efforts not only address pressing environmental concerns but also help alleviate the financial pressures faced by rural households. For example, our investment in modern heating technologies and enhanced insulation has significantly reduced energy costs for residents in key developments. Initiatives to integrate solar panel systems and other renewable technologies into future projects are also underway, ensuring our sustainability objectives remain robust and forward-thinking.
We are proud to have hosted workshops and webinars this year focused on sustainability practices, engaging both residents and sector peers to share knowledge and inspire collective action. By positioning ourselves as a leader in sustainable rural housing, we aim to drive positive change across the sector.
Our dedication to excellence and community impact has been recognised through several prestigious awards and milestones this year:
✅ Winning “Campaign of the Year” at the Affordable Housing Awards for our groundbreaking work on rural homelessness advocacy. This accolade highlights the success of our initiatives in bringing attention to the hidden crisis of rural homelessness.
✅ Receiving special recognition at the Kent Housing Group Excellence Awards for our collaborative efforts in delivering innovative housing solutions.
✅ Celebrating the successful launch of the Rural Housing Design Guide, which has been heralded as a game-changing resource for rural housing development.
✅ Achieving sector-leading scores in independent tenant satisfaction surveys, affirming our reputation for resident-centred services.
These achievements affirm the value of our work and inspire us to continue striving for excellence in everything we do.
None of these accomplishments would have been possible without the support of our residents, staff, board, partners, and friends. Your collaboration, trust, and dedication are the driving forces behind our success. To our residents, your stories and resilience inspire us to do better every day. To our partners and supporters, your contributions and advocacy amplify our impact, making meaningful change possible.
We extend our gratitude to all who have joined us on this year’s journey. Together, we are building not just homes but thriving rural communities where people can live with dignity, security, and hope. Special thanks go to our Patron, HRH The Princess Royal, for her steadfast commitment and support throughout the year.
As we look forward to 2025, our resolve remains. We will continue to advocate for affordable rural housing, innovate for sustainability, and create homes that serve as the foundation for vibrant, resilient communities. With your continued support, we are confident in our ability to meet the challenges ahead and seize new opportunities to make a difference.
Wishing all our residents, staff, board, partners, and friends a joyful Christmas and a prosperous New Year. Together, let’s make 2025 another year of progress, collaboration, and positive impact.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from all of us at English Rural.
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