Rural homelessness is getting worse. What's the solution?

[DanteThunderstone]

Do we need to build social housing in rural areas, expanding villages and small towns? Do we need to ban or limit rural homes owned for holiday purposes? Would rising wages help most? Do we need to discourage people who've made their money in big cities heading to rural areas for a better quality of life if they're pricing out the locals? Can much be done? https://news.sky.com/story/i-spent-my-last-fiver-on-a-tent-why-rural-homelessness-is-getting-worse-in-england-12840886

• stop voting for the Tories
• build more affordable housing
• tighter regulations around second/holiday homes
• make AirbnBs illegal
• make it easier for employees to request hybrid/home working. As long as employers continue to think people have to be stuck in an office or they are not productive then it will prevent people from staying in their local area rather than have to move to larger towns/cities for a decent salary.

I think the OP wanted realistic solutions. Not pie in the sky stuff,

Bottom line is - much as with killer dogs - we have accepted this state of affairs. Because if we hadn't, then it wouldn't be like this.

I live in a rural area of outstanding beauty. There are 337 Air BnBs within 2 miles of the town centre. All were low cost housing 20 years ago.

''@SerendipityJane
stop voting for the Tories
build more affordable housing
tighter regulations around second/holiday homes
make AirbnBs illegal
make it easier for employees to request hybrid/home working. As long as employers continue to think people have to be stuck in an office or they are not productive then it will prevent people from staying in their local area rather than have to move to larger towns/cities for a decent salary.

I think the OP wanted realistic solutions. Not pie in the sky stuff,

Bottom line is - much as with killer dogs - we have accepted this state of affairs. Because if we hadn't, then it wouldn't be like this.''

What?

There is absolutely nothing ''pie in the sky'' about suggesting not voting for a political party that has no interest whatsoever in improving the provision of affordable housing or in reducing inequalities.

That's just basic, logical stuff...

or with suggesting that we need to look at the proliferation of airbnbs and second homes and the harm they are doing to communities.

You might have ''accepted this state of affair'' and prefer to just whine about it.

I certainly have not and I don't think I am the only one.

I was born in London although have always had strong links to rural life through my grand parents all of my childhood/early adult years I worked on farms in my every spare moment and had horses etc. I finally managed to totally escape urban living which I loathed when I was in my early 30’s I’ve never looked back.
I’m now in my 50’s I live very rurally now and have a good job in our nearest town 22 miles away. I own my expensive for this area house (I have no mortgage) I am part or my community I have friends of all ages participate in local activities use local shops etc.
I suggest the following:

1. limit holiday homes yes they do bring some money into the community but round here (a stunningly beautiful area but very much off the beaten track and relatively unknown) they stand empty for 7 -8 months of the year. But people buy them and are definitely pricing out locals or even non local e.g. retired couple or non retired couples or families who would like to move to a quiet peaceful area in a stunning setting and call it home. They would support the local economy as much as a holiday home rented out 4-5 months of the year.
2. more affordable housing and or affordable and available rental properties. We have good schools clean air stunning views a friendly environment wonderful walks what’s to dislike but nether affordable homes for rent or sale are available.
3. employment, jobs outside of the public sector are mainly either farming or seasonal. I don’t know how you tackle that but as a region we have an high number of pensioners and are crying out for more families etc to support schools shops local business etc.
4. better public transport we have excellent and regular local buses to other villages etc but to go into our nearest city where you need to go to do anything but the most basic of shopping to access theatres culture an airport by public transport would take well over 3 1/2 hours (if your lucky). This also disincentivises younger people with families from moving here.

I don’t know how you do any of the above but something needs to be done.

You might have ''accepted this state of affair'' and prefer to just whine about it.

I have petitioned, marched, demonstrated and volunteered for 45 years, thank you very much. My only conclusion is that the majority of people are happy with the status quo, as whenever the opportunity arises to change it, it rarely happens.

Come back in 45 years when you have changed things,.

Why is it worse when it happens in the countryside as opposed to the the big towns and cities?

I deal with people in extreme poverty in Z2 of London. Within a ten minute walk of our premises there is

a homeless shelter
a cheap hostel
a food bank that allows walk-ins
a library with internet access
two warm banks
a Gurdwara (= free meals)
a welfare rights centre
3/4 playgrounds and the same no cheap playgroups.

If you are poor and don’t have even basic access to resources to improve your lot, I’d say it is worse.

Affordable starter homes. We are rural but the village council properties are family sized and private rentals are high because it's 'pretty'. My young 20's can't afford to move out. And definitely better bus services. My 17yo has no choice but to learn to drive as a priority otherwise she won't be able to get a job due to how early the last bus is.

I grew up in a village in Somerset. Our school was three miles away and the council provided coaches. Then they took the coaches away and the kids had to get the bus.
Now the bus companies are withdrawing the bus services.

I think lower priced homes should be aimed at first time buyers only or those trying to get back on the property ladder. The same with cheap homes that are doer uppers. As in the area I live it is impossible to buy the cheaper homes as they go way over asking price. When I buy I’m going to have to move away.

In Scotland, local authorities can levy double council tax on properties which are left empty