§ 13. Mr. RendelTo ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment she has made of the role of affordable housing in maintaining the viability of rural communities. [133795]
§ Alun MichaelThe Rural White Paper of November 2000 recognised the importance of affordable housing in maintaining the viability of rural communities, as did the Sustainable Communities White Paper this year. That is why we have more than doubled the target for the Housing Corporation's special programme for small rural settlements. Our Rural Housing Enablers are helping to increase the supply of affordable housing. And we are currently consulting on an update of the existing guidance on planning for affordable housing.