Unlocking affordable rural housing in England: A roadmap for change

Launched during Rural Housing Week 2025, this new Stonewater research report highlights England’s worsening rural housing crisis.

Commissioned by Longleigh Foundation with partners including Fusion21 and the University of Liverpool, it identifies five key barriers (land, planning, funding, NHS strain, and community resistance).

Despite national housing targets, rural areas remain overlooked, fueling homelessness and economic decline. The report offers practical, expert-informed solutions to help secure affordable homes for rural communities.