Strategic Rural Housing Scheme
Strategic Rural Housing Scheme
Sir Don Curry launched the Strategic Rural Housing Scheme in 2002. It addresses the situation where farmers have to leave the business and, in doing so, lose their home. In many cases there is no suitable housing available locally. For most the days of the final farm sale financing the purchase of a house in the village have long gone. Affordable rented housing can be difficult to find, particularly in rural areas.
In developing this housing initiative the Fund has moved from a grant giving activity that could have ceased overnight, to the long-term responsibility of properties and, even more crucially, people. It is therefore essential the Fund is sustainable. Rental income from properties is sufficient to cover the basic administration of the Fund and the costs of the property portfolio. This allows all donations to be invested in further properties, adding to the asset base of the charity. When a property is no longer required, it will be sold and the money available for another purchase. Thus every donation received will have a real and lasting effect.
How the Scheme Works
Successful applicants, once identified, within certain financial constraints have choice - choice of location and choice of property. This is after all to be their new home. They also have time; what they may first think they need is often far different from what they actually decide on. As the pressures of the business subside, the needs of family and the prospects of alternative employment often change the housing requirements. Some families take on their properties on a rental basis; others have some capital and enter into a shared-equity arrangement. The Fund is flexible and will consider the unique requirements of every application that is approved.
Whilst administering the SRHS, the Fund maintains its long-standing principles.These include:
Every applicant being offered a third party to provide local pastoral support
Respect for individuals’ confidentiality
A dedicated, knowledgeable and sympathetic team source the information required
Low administration costs
One unexpected benefit from the scheme is the ‘ripple factor’ that can result from housing one family in a community. Keeping a family with primary school aged children in the catchment area of their school can remove the threat of losing a teacher due to a falling school roll. In many instances members of families play an integral role in the life of the community through the Church, the village hall, the youth club or Parish Council.
The Trustees, staff, volunteers and partner organisations understand that making the decision to leave a business, particularly farming, is possibly the most difficult decision that will ever be taken. There are many aspects: in established families, to be the one to let it all go; the end of personal aspirations; the fear of an unknown future and the worry about effects on the wider family.
Providing a solution to the lack of housing offers security, stability and a base from which to progress. Everyone involved with the SRHS makes every effort to respect the confidentiality of an applicant. The ultimate aim is to allow those having to leave a farming business to do so with dignity.
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