Over recent years, Dorset’s rural communities have watched as young people and families are increasingly priced out of their home villages — forced to leave behind family, jobs, and local networks. With a shrinking supply of social housing and an unaffordable private rental sector, our rural communities are at risk of losing their vibrancy and essential services like schools, pubs, and shops.
Our Rural Housing Enabling Service helps local people to create small-scale affordable housing that serves the specific needs of their communities.
DCA supports:
We enable communities to identify housing needs, explore viable sites, including Rural Exception Sites, and navigate the development process from vision to completed homes.
Unlike other housing development bodies, our approach is:
Backed by ACRE and Defra – Our service is part of a national programme with dedicated funding and credibility.
Our Rural Housing Enabler supports communities through every stage of the journey:
Maintain control of the housing development process to build houses appropriate to your community.
We offer neutral, expert guidance without vested interests.
Our working relationship with Dorset Council’s Housing Enabling and development teams enables us to better overcome planning hurdles.
A small site on the edge of a village that would not normally be granted planning permission but can be used for affordable housing if there is proven local need.
Homes are prioritised for people with a strong local connection to the parish or surrounding area, through family, work, or long-term residence.
Our advice and support are funded by the Defra programme and are free of charge to communities, although there may be charges for additional services.
No. We help communities partner with housing associations or builders who specialise in affordable rural housing.
Common Concerns:
“We’re worried local people won’t get the homes.”
We ensure homes are allocated based on a local connection policy, with priority given to people from the area.
“We don’t want large developments in our village.”
Our focus is on small-scale schemes — typically 4 to 10 homes — designed to fit within the character of your community.
“It sounds complicated.”
We simplify the process with step-by-step support and expert advice. You’re not expected to do this alone.
Our work is part of a national £2.5 million programme funded by Defra, coordinated by ACRE (Action with Communities in Rural England). This ensures that we bring national insight, trusted resources, and policy connections to every local project.
Trusted by Communities Like Yours.
Contact Jacqui Cuff, Rural Housing Enabler:
📧 jacqui.cuff@dorsetcommunityaction.org.uk
📞 07421 994590
Let’s have a conversation about how we can help your community build the homes it needs.
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