The Chief Executive of the organisation which represents housing associations in England has visited Richmondshire to discuss rural housing issues in North Yorkshire.

Kate Henderson was invited by Broadacres Housing Association to speak to some of the key people working to create more affordable housing in the county.

They included Carl Lis, Leader of the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority, Yvonne Peacock, Leader of Richmondshire District Council, Tony Clark, Chief Executive of Richmondshire District Council and Mike Rudd, Head of Housing Market Development for North Yorkshire County Council.

Kate was shown around Kirkwood, Broadacres’ extra care housing scheme in Leyburn, which opened in 2016, before joining in a discussion about rural housing issues. These included:

  • The need to encourage young people back to the Dales.
  • The need for more bungalows for older people which would free up family sized housing
  • Being able to provide more affordable housing in Colburn, Catterick and Richmond
  • How second home ownership in the Dales and other ‘tourism’ areas is making it difficult for local people looking for homes
  • The difficulties in finding new development sites
  • Tackling fuel poverty
  • How communities can be sustained for future generations.

Kate Henderson, who became Chief Executive of the National Housing Federation in October 2018, said: “I was delighted to be asked to be part of what was a very insightful discussion on the challenges of providing affordable housing in North Yorkshire.

“It is pleasing to see housing associations like Broadacres working closely in partnership with local authorities to deliver homes for local people in such a beautiful area of the country.
“Only through united efforts like this can we get the best for local communities.”

Colin Wilkie, Chairman of Broadacres, said: “We were delighted when Kate accepted our invitation to visit our area to discuss rural housing and the challenges we are currently facing in North Yorkshire.

“Broadacres, with the support of its partners, is committed to building 1,250 new homes across the county over the new five years, as well as improving our existing properties, with a particular emphasis on affordable warmth.

“Our vision is to become the best rural housing association in the country and we will only be able to achieve this by delivering excellent services to our customers with the support of our fantastic staff team, and through continuing to work in partnership with our key stakeholders.”

Read more like this