More people will have the opportunity to stay close to the places they love, as we plan to deliver around 709 affordable homes in rural communities across the South West over the next three years.
From villages in Cornwall to communities in Devon, Somerset and the West of England, these new homes will help local people put down roots, stay near family and friends, and build their futures in the communities they call home.
By providing affordable homes in rural areas, we are helping local people stay local and in communities they love.
Over the past two years, we delivered 445 homes in rural locations across the South West, helping local people access affordable homes and supporting thriving, sustainable communities.
In the last financial year alone, LiveWest invested £56 million in rural housing, completing 240 homes across the region. This included 151 homes in Devon, 35 in Cornwall, 36 in Somerset and 18 in the West of England.
Looking ahead, almost a quarter of our development programme will be focused on rural areas, with plans to build 321 homes in Devon, 242 in Cornwall, 74 in Somerset and 72 in the West of England.
Russell Baldwinson, Executive Director of Development and Investment at Bromford Flagship LiveWest (BFL), said: "Rural Housing Week is an important opportunity to recognise the role affordable homes play in helping rural communities thrive.
"Providing affordable homes in rural areas remains a key part of our development programme because we know the difference a safe, secure and affordable home can make to someone's life.
"These homes help local people stay connected to the communities they know and love, while supporting local businesses, services and the wider rural economy.
"As we continue to invest in rural communities across the South West, we're also making sure our homes are energy efficient, affordable to run and built to meet the needs of future generations."
A recent example of our commitment to providing affordable homes in rural communities is Charity Farm in the Somerset village of Ashcott, where we delivered 25 new homes in partnership with EG Carter.
The development includes 20 affordable rented homes and five shared ownership properties, giving more local people the opportunity to stay close to their families, jobs and support networks while putting down roots in the community they call home.
For resident Victoria and her daughter, moving into her new home at Charity Farm marked the beginning of a new chapter after experiencing homelessness. She said: "I was homeless for a year, so this is a real fresh start for me. The house and the area are so beautiful – I absolutely love it."
"I've lived in villages before, but this one has such a strong sense of community. There are lovely walks all around us, we're surrounded by countryside and it's so peaceful."
Across the region, we continue to invest in affordable rural housing. In Cornwall, the organisation has partnered with Gilbert and Goode to deliver 20 affordable homes in Millbrook, helping to meet local housing need.
In Devon, LiveWest has recently delivered 11 affordable homes in Lifton, 12 affordable homes in South Molton, 9 social rented homes in Westward Ho! and nine affordable homes in Colyton, giving more local people the opportunity to build their future in the communities they call home.