The Rural Community Council of Essex is an independant charity helping people and communities throughout rural Essex  build a sustainable future.  As part of their ongoing commitment to this work they host the Rural Housing Enabler (RHE) project in Essex.  This role involves working with parish councils, local communities, registered social landlords and local authorities to independently identify housing need and facilitate the provision of affordable housing in rural areas.

There is great awareness that many are facing real issues in finding accommodation they can afford in their villages, particularly young people, which can mean they have no alternative but to move away.  This can result in social networks breaking down, local services becoming unviable and villages becoming places where only those that can afford high house prices can live.

Further information regarding the work of the Rural Housing Enabler is available by using the link in the box on the right hand side of the page.  A link to the Councils Rural Housing Guide is also present.

Rural Housing Guide: review 2010
The Rural Housing Steering Group was established early in 2010 to review the existing BDC publication, The Rural Housing Guide and to look specifically at the allocation of affordable homes in rural areas through local lettings policies.

As part of the review process a questionnaire was developed and circulated to the following stakeholder groups:
- Parish councils;
- District Councillors; and
- Housing associations with rural schemes in the District

The consultation period closed in September and the feedback and comments received have been summarised in the document below:

- Summary of Rural Housing Responses 2010