Rural Housing Enablers Driving Change

A new evaluation of the Defra-funded Rural Housing Enabler (RHE) Programme has confirmed the critical role RHEs play in helping rural communities address the shortage of affordable homes.

Commissioned by Action with Communities in Rural England (ACRE) and carried out by the Countryside and Community Research Institute (CCRI) and EAP Research Consultancy, the study examined how RHEs build trust, evidence local housing need, and guide communities through the complex process of rural housing development.

Key findings include:

• Essential local role – RHEs act as independent ‘honest brokers’, fostering trust between communities, landowners, local authorities, and housing providers.
• Strong development pipeline – By early 2025, RHEs had supported 227 prospective rural housing schemes, representing more than 2,100 potential homes.
• Preventing rural disadvantage – Without RHE input, local partners said affordable rural housing delivery would slow significantly due to resource pressures and an urban focus.
• Proven value – Social Return on Investment modelling shows every £1 spent over three years generates an estimated £3.30 in social outcome benefits.

The evaluation also highlights the importance of sustained, long-term funding so that RHEs can continue to bring forward schemes, retain skilled staff, and ensure rural voices are heard in housing policy.

Read the full report here

Find out more at the National Rural Conference on Tuesday 16 September, where our Housing & Planning session will include Max Banfield, RHE Programme Manager at ACRE, discussing the role of Rural Housing Enablers and the ACRE Network in helping communities bring forward affordable homes. Book your place here.