Community First Herefordshire and Worcestershire

Community First Herefordshire and Worcestershire Community First is at the forefront of sustainable, robust community development in Herefordshire and Worcestershire.

We specialise in providing high quality advice and support to community groups and organisations, to help them grow and meet the needs of

Rural Affordable Housing Isn’t Large-Scale DevelopmentMost rural affordable housing schemes are small, carefully designe...
30/05/2026

Rural Affordable Housing Isn’t Large-Scale Development
Most rural affordable housing schemes are small, carefully designed developments created specifically to meet identified local need. These homes can provide life-changing opportunities for individuals and families while preserving the character of the village. Small developments can have a lasting positive impact.

For more information about the work of the Herefordshire Rural Housing Enabler Scheme visit www.comfirst.org.uk/rural-housing

Without affordable housing, many young people are forced to leave the communities where they grew up in. Providing affor...
28/05/2026

Without affordable housing, many young people are forced to leave the communities where they grew up in. Providing affordable homes for local people helps protect schools, local businesses, community groups, and village life for the future. This needs doing in the right way, ensuring local infrastructure can support it.
Rural communities deserve to thrive, not slowly disappear.

For more information about the Rural Housing Enabler scheme in Herefordshire you can visit www.comfirst.org.uk/rural-housing

🏡🏡🏡🏡🏡🏡🏡🏡🏡🏡🏡🏡🏡🏡MYTH: “There isn’t real demand.”FACT: Housing needs surveys consistently show unmet local need in rural ar...
26/05/2026

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MYTH: “There isn’t real demand.”
FACT: Housing needs surveys consistently show unmet local need in rural areas.
In counties such as Herefordshire and Worcestershire, local people are increasingly priced out of their own communities. Average rural house prices far exceed average local wages.
The need is real — it’s just quieter than opposition.

For more information about the work Herefordshire's Rural Housing Enabler is doing head over to our website and navigate to Rural Housing

🏡🏡🏡🏡🏡🏡🏡🏡🏡🏡🏡🏡🏡🏡MYTH: “It will overload services.”FACT: Most rural schemes are small-scale.We’re talking:- 6 homes- 8 home...
24/05/2026

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MYTH: “It will overload services.”
FACT: Most rural schemes are small-scale.
We’re talking:
- 6 homes
- 8 homes
- 12 homes
Not 200.
Small developments can help sustain:
- Primary schools
- Village shops
- Local pubs
- Bus routes
A handful of homes can mean the difference between closure and survival.

For more information about the work Herefordshire's Rural Housing Enabler is doing head over to our website and navigate to Rural Housing

🏡🏡🏡🏡🏡🏡🏡🏡🏡🏡🏡🏡🏡🏡MYTH: “Affordable housing lowers property values.”FACT: Evidence does not support this claim.Modern rural ...
23/05/2026

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MYTH: “Affordable housing lowers property values.”
FACT: Evidence does not support this claim.
Modern rural affordable homes:
- Meet strict design standards
- Are built to high energy efficiency standards
- Are often indistinguishable from open market homes
Well-designed schemes enhance villages — they don’t damage them.

For more information about the work Herefordshire's Rural Housing Enabler is doing head over to our website and navigate to Rural Housing

MYTH: “Affordable housing ruins villages.”FACT: Well-designed affordable homes help villages survive.Without them:- Youn...
19/05/2026

MYTH: “Affordable housing ruins villages.”
FACT: Well-designed affordable homes help villages survive.

Without them:

- Young people move away
- Schools lose pupils
- Shops close
- Communities age rapidly

Affordable housing keeps families, key workers and local people rooted in the places they grew up. Thriving villages need working-age residents — not just second homes.

To find out more about the work Herefordshire's Rural Housing Enabler is doing visit our website and head to Rural Housing

MYTH: “Affordable housing ruins villages.”FACT: Well-designed affordable homes help villages survive.Without them:- Youn...
17/05/2026

MYTH: “Affordable housing ruins villages.”
FACT: Well-designed affordable homes help villages survive.
Without them:
- Young people move away
- Schools lose pupils
- Shops close
- Communities age rapidly
Affordable housing keeps families, key workers and local people rooted in the places they grew up. Thriving villages need working-age residents — not just second homes.
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MYTH: “People move in from cities.”
FACT: Rural affordable housing is prioritised for people with a strong local connection.
In schemes delivered through Rural Housing Enablers (including those supported by Action with Communities in Rural England), homes are typically offered to:
- People who already live locally
- Those who grew up there
- People working in the area
- Close family connections
It’s about keeping communities together.
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MYTH: “It’s all social housing.”
FACT: Rural affordable housing includes:
- Affordable rent
- Social rent
- Shared ownership
- Discounted market sale
Different tenures meet different needs — from young families to older residents wanting to downsize.
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MYTH: “It will overload services.”
FACT: Most rural schemes are small-scale.
We’re talking:
- 6 homes
- 8 homes
- 12 homes
Not 200.
Small developments can help sustain:
- Primary schools
- Village shops
- Local pubs
- Bus routes
A handful of homes can mean the difference between closure and survival.
🏡🏡🏡🏡🏡🏡🏡🏡🏡🏡🏡🏡🏡🏡
MYTH: “Affordable housing lowers property values.”
FACT: Evidence does not support this claim.
Modern rural affordable homes:
- Meet strict design standards
- Are built to high energy efficiency standards
- Are often indistinguishable from open market homes
Well-designed schemes enhance villages — they don’t damage them.
🏡🏡🏡🏡🏡🏡🏡🏡🏡🏡🏡🏡🏡🏡
MYTH: “There isn’t real demand.”
FACT: Housing needs surveys consistently show unmet local need in rural areas.
In counties such as Herefordshire and Worcestershire, local people are increasingly priced out of their own communities. Average rural house prices far exceed average local wages.
The need is real — it’s just quieter than opposition.
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MYTH: “It changes the character of a village.”
FACT: What truly changes the character of a village is:
- Empty homes
- Holiday lets
- Age imbalance
- Losing young families
Affordable housing protects the character of rural communities by keeping them lived in and alive.
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MYTH: “It’s imposed on communities.”
FACT: Rural housing schemes usually begin with:
- A housing needs survey
- Parish consultation
- Community engagement
- Local authority partnership
When delivered properly, they are community-led — not imposed.
For more information about the work Herefordshire's Rural Housing Enabler is doing head over to our website and navigate to Rural Housing

Myth: “It’s imposed on communities”Done properly, rural housing isn’t imposed it’s informed.It starts with: • A local ho...
15/05/2026

Myth: “It’s imposed on communities”
Done properly, rural housing isn’t imposed it’s informed.
It starts with:
• A local housing needs survey
• Parish-level consultation
• Community engagement

The goal is simple:
Meet local need, with local input.
Rural communities only thrive when local people can afford to live in them.
If we want:
• Working villages
• Sustainable communities
• A future for younger generations
Then we have to challenge the myths.

If you’re involved in a parish, local authority or community group and want to understand rural housing better visit the Rural Housing page of our website

Myth: “It will overload services”Let’s put this into perspective.Most rural schemes are small, usually under 12 homes.Th...
12/05/2026

Myth: “It will overload services”
Let’s put this into perspective.
Most rural schemes are small, usually under 12 homes.
That level of growth doesn’t overwhelm services.
In many cases, it helps sustain them.
A few new families can be the difference between:
✔ A school staying open
✖ Or closing its doors
✔ A local shop staying open
✖ Or closing its doors

If you’re involved in a parish, local authority or community group and want to understand rural housing better visit the Rural Housing page of our website

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Herefordshire
HR49HP

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