This evaluation of the Rural Housing Enabler Programme, funded by DEFRA through Action with Communities in Rural England (ACRE), will incorporate both quantitative and qualitative data to provide a holistic view of the outcomes, value for money, and process. The project is structured into work packages (WPs), ensuring a systematic approach to the evaluation.
- WP1: Inception and Evidence Review – Led by Dr. Demelza Jones (CCRI) and Dr. Jon Hobson (EAP), this phase sets the groundwork by confirming the study’s scope and context and refining our approach with key stakeholders.
- WP2: Impact Evaluation Case Studies – Led by Dr. Demelza Jones and Dr. Katarina Kubinakova (CCRI), this phase conducts in-depth analyses of a sample of ACRE Network members’ Rural Housing Enabler services, selected to capture variation in local geographies, demographics and housing market characteristics. The case studies assess tangible and intangible outcomes and impacts of the RHE services, incorporating both Network members who are expanding established RHE provision, and those setting up new provision with the Defra funding.
- WP3: Impact Evaluation Survey – Led by Dr. Jon Hobson (EAP) this work package expands the assessment to include ACRE Network members not covered in the case studies, providing broader validation of the findings.
- WP4: Social Return on Investment – Led by Prof. Paul Courtney and Dr. John Powell (CCRI), this work package calculates the economic impact and value for money of the RHE program over a defined period, utilizing outcomes and impact data collected through other WPs.
The project, which will run from April 2024 through to March 2025, will result in a full evaluation report, which will be shared during Rural Housing Week in July 2025. The CCRI team will be supported in this project by colleagues from EAP Research Consultancy.
CCRI Ref: 2023-042
