Our Work > Housing > Rural Housing Enablers
Rural Housing Enablers
Rural Housing Enablers (RHEs) work with communities and other partners such as landowners and housing providers to bring forward small rural housing schemes. Many Rural Community Action Network (RCAN) members have an RHE in post. Others are employed by local authorities or other bodies like housing trusts. There are currently about 60 RHEs working in England, Wales and Scotland but posts are constantly under threat because of cost cutting.
Rural Housing Enablers (RHE) responsibilities include:
- Raising awareness of issues surrounding affordable housing with local communities often as part of a Community Led Plan
- Working with local communities and parish councils to assess local housing needs. Please see an example of a housing needs survey from Community First Herfordshire and Worcestershire
- Working with landowners and parish councils to identify potential sites for development
- Liaising with relevant organisations including Local Housing and Planning Authorities and Housing Associations in order to ensure development is targeted to the areas of greatest need
- Increasing awareness of problems surrounding rural housing and influencing future policy
