As a proud member of the Rural Housing Network (RHN), the Rural Services Network (RSN) is pleased to share that the RHN is currently in the process of selecting a research partner for an innovative project aimed at exploring the impact of devolution on the delivery of affordable rural housing. This vital initiative seeks to uncover the key risks and opportunities devolution presents, aiming to provide evidence-based strategies to enhance the availability of affordable homes in rural communities with populations of less than 3,000.

About the Rural Housing Network

The RHN is a coalition of organisations committed to the advocacy and support of rural communities, particularly in the provision of affordable housing. We strive to serve as a national and collective voice on issues surrounding affordable housing delivery, advising entities such as Homes England and the Government on policy development and implementation. Our role also encompasses facilitating dialogue between various rural housing stakeholders and governmental bodies, monitoring progress, collating evidence on rural housing needs, and ensuring rural considerations are reflected in policy-making.

Research Objectives

The upcoming research project will concentrate on several critical objectives:

• Understanding the Impact of Devolution: This aspect of the research will assess how various devolution frameworks have influenced, or are likely to influence, affordable rural housing. This includes an examination of existing and emerging devolution deals, alongside the frameworks outlined in the English Devolution White Paper, such as Strategic Authorities and new Unitary Authorities.
• Identifying Good Practice and Opportunities: The project will identify effective practices and emerging opportunities that can facilitate the delivery of affordable rural homes via devolution. This involves a review of past devolution bids, the initiatives undertaken by devolved authorities to support rural housing, and insights from authorities at various stages of the devolution process.
• Providing Evidence-Based Recommendations: Drawing on the findings, the research will offer a set of practical recommendations for the RHN to ensure that devolution contributes positively to the provision of affordable housing in small rural communities. These recommendations will be encapsulated in a comprehensive report intended for dissemination among national and local governments and related agencies.

Methodology

The project will employ a multifaceted research methodology, including a review of pertinent devolution deals in England, a broad literature review, data gathering and analysis, and case studies from various levels of devolved government. Additionally, it will incorporate feedback from a diverse range of authorities. An Advisory Group consisting of RHN members will guide the project, with the English Rural Housing Association managing the day-to-day operations.

Budget and Funding

The RHN has allocated a budget of £15,000 for this research. We encourage prospective tenderers to identify and secure additional funding sources to broaden the scope and impact of the research.

Tender Specification and Submission

Interested organisations and consortia are invited to view the full tender specification and submit their proposals. Each tender should detail the proposed research methodology, team expertise, project timeline, budget, and examples of similar past projects.

The deadline for submitting tenders is 7 April 2025, with assessments focusing on the alignment with the research brief, pricing, proposal quality, and references. Shortlisted candidates will be interviewed on 10 April 2025.

For further information or inquiries about this research project, please contact the Research Coordinator, James Crawford-Smith, at 02078207930 or via email at [email protected]

We look forward to uncovering valuable insights and strategies through this project, which will significantly contribute to the enhancement of affordable rural housing delivery in the face of evolving governmental structures.