 It’s Rural Housing Week – so what better time to delve into the important (and sometimes controversial) topic of affordable housing on Exmoor? Whether you’ve grown up here or recently moved to the area, chances are you’ve heard some of the common myths doing the rounds…particularly around who gets housed, how choice-based letting systems like Homefinder Somerset and Devon Home Choice work, and what ‘affordable housing’ really means. In places like Exmoor, word spreads fast, and the trouble is, it’s not always the right information. So, to help set the record straight, we spoke to our partners at Caractacus Housing and Falcon Rural Housing to clear up some of the most common misunderstandings. Here’s what you really need to know… Myth #1 - “All affordable housing on Exmoor goes to people from outside of the area with no local connection.” Let’s clear this up! Applicants can register with Homefinder Somerset, if they have a local connection to Somerset. According to their criteria, this means you need to meet at least one of the following:
If you meet one of these, you can register with Homefinder and apply for available homes. However, some properties on Exmoor come with additional rules. These may require a local connection to Exmoor National Park specifically. In these cases, priority is given to people who:
 So here are the key points:
What about Devon Home Choice? Devon Home Choice prioritises applicants with a local connection to Devon, so you must either have:
Applicants that do not have a local connection to Devon will likely be placed in either Band D or E. “People from outside the area are forced to take affordable houses on Exmoor and don’t even want to live here.” This is another common misconception that often comes from a lack of understanding about how emergency housing works. In a housing crisis, people who are homeless or in urgent need are expected to bid on homes in all areas of Somerset (whether that area is suitable for them or not.) If they don’t bid, the Council then bids on their behalf. But it’s important to understand: It’s extremely rare that emergency placements will occur in homes that are protected by a Section 106 agreement. And if that was to happen, the person in need of emergency placement would still need to satisfy the local connection requirement. Some housing association properties on Exmoor don’t have a specific S106, hence what might be deemed as ‘non-locals’ moving into Exmoor villages. However, if a property on Exmoor is reserved for local people with a S106, or is owned by Falcon Rural Housing or Caractacus (who have their own local lettings policies,) it will stay for local people. Myth #2 - “There's no point applying on Homefinder Somerset. You'll just get a bronze banding and never be housed." This one’s especially frustrating for local housing associations because it stops many eligible local people from even registering. They assume it’s not worth trying, when in reality, it often is. While Bronze Band (or the equivalent banding on Devon Home Choice) is the usual starting point, you can be placed in a higher band if you can show clear evidence of housing need. And remember, “housing need” doesn’t just mean homelessness. It can include:
And this is SUPER IMPORTANT: Most homes let by Falcon Rural Housing actually go to bronze band applicants. Why? Because local connection trumps banding. You might be ranked 50-something in the bidding list for a property in an Exmoor village like Porlock or Timberscombe, but if the people above you don’t have a strong local connection to the parish (or an adjoining one), you’ll be chosen because you do. It’s a similar story with Caractacus Housing, which operates outside the Homefinder system and has its own registration process. Caractacus will look for applicants who meet the ENP local connection criteria but do offer some flexibility, so can accept those with a 5 year connection. Likewise, Falcon Rural Housing can be flexible, particularly if there is not a S106 agreement in place. They can offer the flexibility of a 5 year local connection, or in some cases, 3 years if the fit is right. Myth #3 - “You have to be on a really low income to qualify for social housing.” This one might surprise you! You can earn a decent wage and still be eligible for affordable housing. In fact, the income thresholds are surprisingly high for Somerset Homefinder:
And while not quite as generous, the thresholds for Devon Home Choice are:
This means if your household income is under these limits and you meet the local connection for the choice based letting system in Somerset or Devon, you’re eligible to apply (and probably should!) So why aren't more people applying for affordable housing on Exmoor? That’s the question many local housing associations are asking - especially when they struggle to fill properties that require a local connection. We think a big part of the issue is the myths and misconceptions still floating around. But it’s also true that the choice-based letting systems’ application processes can feel confusing or overwhelming, especially when doing it for the first time. If you need help applying via Homefinder Somerset or Devon Home Choice, or you're unsure how to evidence your housing need, here are some trusted places to turn: Homefinder Somerset (West Somerset enquiries) 📧 [email protected] 📞 0300 123 2224 Devon Home Choice (North Devon) 📧 [email protected] 📞 01271 388870 Registering with Homefinder or Devon Home Choice isn’t just about getting a home right now. It also helps build a clearer picture of housing need in the local area. This information plays a vital role in planning future developments and can even support things like community-led or self-build housing projects.
Need more support with affordable housing on Exmoor? At Exmoor Young Voices, we’re always here to help point you in the right direction. Whether you’ve got a question about Exmoor housing, need support navigating the process, or want to share concerns you’ve heard in your local community, we’re here to listen and advocate on your behalf. Join us at our next meeting on 11th July! _ _ _ A huge thank you to Falcon Rural Housing and Caractacus Housing for supporting Exmoor Young Voices with this blog post. If you have any questions or queries, or would like a chat with either organisation, they are more than happy for you to get in touch. Falcon Rural Housing Email: [email protected] Phone: 01823 667343 Text / WhatsApp: 07581 551502 Caractacus Housing Email: [email protected] Phone: 07900 694525
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Not sure what to expect from an Exmoor Young Voices meeting? It might sound a bit formal, but we promise it’s not. Think less boring work meeting and more casual catch-up with purpose! We meet in the skittle alley at the Rest & Be Thankful, drinks in hand, with a good mix of friendly faces and flowing conversation. The meeting kicks off around 7:30pm Grab yourself a drink from the bar and head into the skittle alley. If you’re coming on your own, don’t worry...most people do, and we’ll make sure you feel welcome. We know life on Exmoor can be hectic, so if you're a little late because of work, childcare, or just the drive, that’s totally okay. Join when you can. Updates & open floor Will Lock, our Chair, will give a quick update on what we’ve been working on behind the scenes. After that, it’s over to you. We go around and do quick introductions (nothing scary) just so you’re not chatting to strangers. Your voice matters This is your space to share what life’s like for you on Exmoor. Whether it's housing, jobs, childcare, digital connection, or just finding your feet – we want to hear it. EYV is all about listening to young people and taking those messages to the people who can help make change happen. No pressure to speak Hate speaking in groups? You won’t be the only one...and we totally get it. Say as much or as little as you like. We’re a relaxed, supportive group and everyone’s ideas and experiences are respected. What happens next? If there’s something we can help with - whether it’s connecting you to someone who might have a solution or taking the issue forward on your behalf, we will. That’s what we’re here for! You might also find someone else in the group is going through the same thing, and you can support each other. Not just about self-build Although self build is a popular topic (and we’ve got members in the middle of their own builds), this isn’t just a ‘self-build’ group. We cover all aspects of rural life, and if there’s something on your mind, it’s welcome in the room. Stay for a chat (and music!) Once the meeting wraps up, feel free to stick around. The bar often has live music on, and it’s a great chance to wind down and meet others who care about making Exmoor better for its younger generation. It’s not every day you get invited to a Royal Garden Party at Buckingham Palace – and guess what? Exmoor Young Voices received two invitations! All thanks to winning The King’s Award for Voluntary Service.
But wait…it gets better. His Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant of Somerset, Mr Muhammed Saddiq, kindly invited EYV founder Leslie Silverlock as his guest with a plus one. So, the dream team was complete: Leslie (Founder & Adviser), Will (Chair), Meg (Coordinator), and Josh (Trustee and Pilot Self Builder) all headed off to the big smoke to experience a glorious day fit for royalty! Now, we’re usually all about single-track lanes and the slower countryside life, so the hustle and bustle of London could have been a shock to the system. Thankfully, Will navigated the busy city streets like a pro (maybe we should make him our official chauffeur). Josh, meanwhile, had the thrilling task of finding the key to our accommodation…hidden in a keysafe padlocked to a random railing. In semi-darkness. No pressure, right? But he did it without breaking a sweat. After a good night’s sleep (phew), we embraced the city with a morning stroll and a hearty breakfast. Then came the fun bit: getting our glad rags on! By 2pm, we were all dressed up and ready to head to the palace. On arrival, the atmosphere was just lovely. Everyone was buzzing with excitement but perfectly polite (very British). And the weather? Not a raindrop in sight. Pure garden-party perfection. The stars of the show were of course the Royal family themselves. The Prince and Princess of Wales made a grand appearance, accompanied by The Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh, Princess Eugenie, and Zara Tindall. We lined up to catch a glimpse as they appeared on the Terrace, to the tune of the National Anthem. Speaking of tunes…the Military Bands were amazing. Particular highlights were the Star Wars music and a toe-tapping ABBA medley that had us all smiling. Food-wise, we were in heaven. Josh meticulously curated an Instagram-worthy plate of delicate treats and Meg declared Sandringham Apple Juice the best apple juice in the world (even though she’s not an apple juice fan.) Les kept disappearing off to get the best view of the Royals to flash his EYV badge. And Will? Well he became the official photographer for several guests who weren’t quite tall enough to see over the crowds and get a good photo of Prince William. When we weren’t lining up for the royals, savouring tiny sandwiches and exploring the stunning gardens (so many roses!) we were people watching. A highlight in itself, everyone was soaking it all in - the elegance, the outfits, the polite conversations. It was a real treat. As the party wound down, we lined up once more to watch the Royals make their exit, capturing some great photos, witnessing a heartwarming moment between the Prince, Princess and a guest, and soaking up the last of the magic. By the end of the day, our feet were definitely feeling it… especially Meg’s after braving heels all afternoon! But sore feet were a small price to pay for memories we’ll treasure forever. From the stunning gardens to the royal sightings, the music, the food, and the wonderful company, the day was truly unforgettable. What a beautiful way to mark receiving The King’s Award and to celebrate all of Exmoor Young Voices’ incredible achievements over the years. But our London trip wasn’t quite over yet! We followed it up with a visit to the Houses of Parliament the following day – more on that in the next blog. And now we’re back to work, planning our next EYV meeting. Will you be joining us? Make sure you’re signed up to our mailing list and following us on social media to stay in the know and be part of all the exciting things coming up. |
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January 2026
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