Eden Housing Association (EHA) is collaborating with ACTion with Communities in Cumbria (ACT) in order to implement a new rural housing initiative in Cumbria.

The Rural Housing Enabling Service, facilitated by Action with Communities in Rural England (ACRE), aims to expand affordable housing options in small, rural communities.

ACT is the Cumbria member of the ACRE network.

ACRE secured the necessary funding from the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) to pioneer this project, which seeks to address the lack of availability, and accessibility, of affordable rural homes.

The service will help 'unlock' small development sites that may not be on the local list of designated locations for housing development, or maybe 'windfall' sites.

ACT’s Fran Richardson elaborated on the urgency of resolving local housing issues: "We know that these small developments of affordable houses can make the difference between a resident village population that can support local services and one where the shop and the school and pub become unsustainable over time.

"We also know that economies of scale make it far more likely for developments to be pursued on the outskirts of our larger towns.

"This continues to make it harder for people on low or average wages to stay in our smaller rural settlements.’

High levels of holiday accommodation and second home ownership in Cumbria have exacerbated problems caused by the low supply of affordable homes.

EHA and ACT will work in tandem on the project for the next fifteen months, developing the service and demonstrating the difference it can make.

EHA Chief Executive, Chris Fawcett said: "We’re delighted to partner with ACT and help establish the new Rural Housing Enabler Service in Cumbria.

"It’s fantastic to help bring together like-minded organisations supporting an increase of community led affordable homes in the more rural areas of Cumbria."