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Join the first event of the Rural Housing Innovation Network, focused on community-led housing and cooperative energy systems. Dr Tom Moore: How does community-led housing respond to rural housing challenges? This talk will explore the contribution that community-led housing models make to rural housing. It will explain how community-led models leverage local support and resource to deliver affordable housing, while illustrating the importance of community attachments and participation to successful and harmonious delivery of rural housing, particularly in the context of planning reform and continued emphasis on housing targets. Dr Harshavardhan Jatkar: Community Energy for Affordable Rural Housing Recent energy crises in the UK have pushed up energy prices, placing additional pressure on housing affordability, particularly in rural communities. While transitioning away from fossil fuels is essential for achieving climate goals, these changes will not benefit rural populations unless renewable energy is made accessible and affordable. Historically, corporate-led energy models have often contributed to rising costs, creating challenges for delivering a sustainable and equitable transition. In response, renewable energy cooperatives have emerged across the UK as community-owned alternatives that connect local energy generation with local needs. This presentation explores how cooperative renewable energy models can support: 1) improved housing, 2) more affordable energy, and 3) stronger, more resilient rural communities, contributing to more sustainable energy future for rural housing in the UK. The event is the first in a series of online and in person workshops organised by the Rural Housing Innovation Network (RHIN). RHIN brings together researchers in UK universities with rural housing sector bodies for the purpose of examining and evidencing critical challenges relating to rural affordable housing delivery.

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