MALVERN Hills District Council has been dubbed "the best in the rural West Midlands" for its housing policies.

The accolade comes from the Government Office for the West Midlands and the Housing Corporation.

MHDC funds many housing developments directly from its capital funds, and schemes are jointly agreed after consultation with local groups. It has also recently developed a rural housing policy.

Colin Davis, corporate director, said: "The Council is proud of its record of achieving the provision of over 500 additional affordable homes over the last five years.

"The Council is also active in developing partnerships with landlords to support the provision of private sector accommodation and assisting such organisations as the Malvern Hills Homeless Young Adults Trust and the Women's Refuge."

The Council's Rent Deposit Guarantee Scheme to assist homeless people in getting private accommodation has also been a success. That initiative has been joined by the Good Start package, which helps young homeless people pay for essential items and the first bills.

"We are extremely pleased to have has this assessment of our performance confirmed by the government and the housing corporation. It shows what can be achieved by imaginative use of resources and is good news for the people of the district who are in housing need," said Mr Davis.