Rural housing

Affordable housing in rural areas is essential for maintaining vibrant and sustainable communities, we recognise the need to preserve our rural communities and enable local people on modest incomes to remain in, or move back to, the community in which they already live or work, or where they have strong local connections. This helps to support the local economy and sustains services to the benefit of the community.

Working collaboratively with local parish & town councils and organisations such as RACE can facilitate affordable housing in rural communities by undertaking housing need surveys, identifying the need

The Rural and Community Housing Enabling service (RACE) is an independent service for Kent and Medway, providing expertise and working directly with communities to deliver housing that matches what local people need. It is hosted by the Kent Housing Group.

RACE works with parish councils, communities, housing teams at district and borough councils, housing associations and local developers to identify rural communities where action needs to be taken to meet the housing needs of local people and facilitate any development.

If you have any comments or queries please contact the RACE Team on race@ashford.gov.uk

Accessing homes for rent in rural areas

Residents will need to complete a housing register application form and also prove their local connection, by completing a local connection form. Please see Housing Register information for advice and a link to the online registration form.