9 May 2025, The Boniface Centre, Crediton, organised by Devon Community Housing Hub (DCHH)
In the context of a growing housing crisis and the formation of the new Devon and Torbay Combined County Authority, the Devon Community Housing Hub (DCHH) convened a seminar focused on rural housing challenges and opportunities. The event brought together over 40 housing professionals, local authority officers, housing associations, community organisations, and policymakers to discuss strategic responses to rural housing needs in Devon.
The objectives were:
- To examine key findings from the Devon Housing Commission Report
- To explore the role of Homes England and the new Combined Authority in rural housing delivery
- To encourage collaboration and knowledge-sharing across the housing sector
- To promote the role of DCHH as a strategic voice and practical enabler for rural housing
Gareth Jones, Acting Chair of DCHH, opened the seminar by highlighting the importance of unified action during a time of political and structural transition in Devon.
Delegates enjoyed presentations from:
- Matt Dodd (Devon Housing Commission) discussed practical next steps for implementing the Housing Commission’s rural recommendations, including strategic data use, rural exception sites, and the role of Community Land Trusts.
- Versha Koria (Homes England) presented Homes England’s approach to rural housing and emphasized partnership working, flexible funding routes, and the need for strong local intelligence.
- Cllr Mandy Ewings (Chair, Devon & Torbay Housing Advisory Group) provided an early view of how the Combined County Authority will structure its housing priorities and how rural housing will be embedded in county-wide strategies.
A lively panel discussion tackled strategic barriers and opportunities for rural housing. Panelists included housing association and community-led housing representatives, offering perspectives on planning constraints, land access, funding challenges, and the potential of local innovation.
Delegates engaged in networking over lunch, sharing best practices and exploring collaborative opportunities. The informal discussions reinforced the appetite for collective action and peer learning.
We were pleased to achieve the following:
- Strengthened connections between key stakeholders in the rural housing sector
- Generated immediate interest in DCHH membership from new organisations
- Informed the development of future agendas for the Housing Advisory Group
- Sparked proposals for collaborative working on Housing Needs Surveys and rural exception site development
The seminar successfully demonstrated the power of convening cross-sector voices around a shared rural housing agenda. It reinforced DCHH’s position as both a strategic influencer and practical enabler—and underlined the urgency of collective action in ensuring rural communities across Devon have access to the housing they need.