Introduction letter

Dear Resident,
ACTion with Communities in Cumbria (ACT) has been commissioned by Greystoke Community Housing, with the full support of Greystoke Parish Council, to carry out this survey and produce an independent report. This will help to establish a baseline for affordable housing need in the area. The results of the survey will provide a snapshot to inform what might happen next. Every home in the Parish is being asked to complete the survey.
This survey may be particularly relevant for those wanting to take their first step onto the housing ladder, or for those now in a position to downsize. It is also important that the survey reaches people who have had to move out of the parish because they could not find, or afford, suitable property but would like to move back.
Please note all personal details will remain confidential to ACT; the final report to the Greystoke Community Housing and the Parish Council will include aggregated results, with no personal information.
It is widely recognised that people living in rural areas can face real difficulties when trying to find a home of their own within the community that they grew up in (or work in). ACT works with people across the county to explore the challenges and demands for local housing, and what action can be taken by communities to tackle issues and meet local needs.

In partnership with Eden Housing Association, ACT is delivering the Rural Housing Enabler Service for Cumbria, aiming to see appropriate scale development of affordable homes where they are wanted, in rural places with populations under 3,000 people.
This survey is designed to see if there are households in the your community, or people with a strong local connection who are in need of affordable housing, or other housing to meet their needs, which is not already available here. This is not a survey to justify large scale or open market developments; it may support a community led, local needs-based development of a scale and style backed by the community.
Please complete the Survey as fully as possible whether or not you or someone in your household currently need alternative accommodation. It will take around 15 minutes. The online survey is open until Friday September 12th. Please do not fill the survey in more than once.
This survey is important to make sure your views can be considered, and that any future development can be based on residents’ needs and opinions.
Again, please be assured that all returned forms will be dealt with by ACT in strict confidence. Greystoke Community Housing will be provided with a summary report but will not see the completed forms nor be made aware of any personal details.
If you have any questions about completing the form, or would like additional forms please phone ACT on 01768 425666, or email Fran Richardson, ACT Lead Adviser on Housing, on franrichardson@cumbriaaction.org.uk

Yours sincerely,
Fran Richardson, ACT Lead Adviser on Housing
Allan Buckley, Greystoke Community Housing
Becx Carter, Greystoke Parish Council Clerk

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