The following table shows the number of new affordable homes (social rent, intermediate rent and low cost home ownership) built in rural areas in England each year since 1997-98.
Number 1997-98 10,050 1998-99 8,910 1999-2000 7,800 2000-01 7,200 2001-02 7,520 2002-03 7,340 2003-04 8,310 2004-05 9,170 2005-06 11,180 2006-07 11,930 2007-08 14,550 Source: Homes and Communities Agency Investment Management System (IMS), and local authority returns to CLG. Note: Figures have been rounded to nearest 10 units.
Not all affordable housing is provided by new build completions, as some supply can come from acquisitions. For example, in 2007-08, a total of 16,760 additional affordable homes were provided in rural areas in England (new build and acquisitions).
Total affordable housing supply statistics for 2008-09 will be released by CLG in December 2009.
These figures reflect the delivery of affordable housing in the 178 local authorities defined as rural by the DEFRA Rural Definition (2004).