The Rural Housing Enabler Programme is independent support to help rural communities deliver small scale affordable housing schemes in England.
ACRE is the responsible body for the delivery of a £2.5m programme funded by Defra that is creating a network of Rural Housing Enablers (RHEs).
RHEs help rural communities consider the need for affordable housing locally, connecting them with landowners, housebuilders and planners to bring about suitable schemes.
Community Futures is seeking an ambitious and practical Rural Housing Enabler to help rural communities across Lancashire identify and address local housing needs.
This is a unique opportunity to work at the point where communities, housing, planning and local partnerships come together.
Working as part of the national ACRE Rural Housing Enabler Programme, you will support Lancashire’s communities, parish councils, housing associations, local authorities, Homes England and other partners to turn local housing needs into real opportunities and practical solutions.
You’ll be helping communities navigate complex issues, build consensus, develop evidence, identify opportunities and move projects forward. No two days will be the same. One day you might be facilitating a community meeting in a village hall. The next you could be analysing housing data, discussing opportunities with a housing association, meeting a parish council, or working with partners to unlock a stalled project.
We’re looking for someone who:
Builds trust and relationships easily.
Enjoys working with communities and stakeholders.
Can analyse information and make sound judgements.
Is organised, resilient and self-motivated.
Wants to make a lasting difference in rural Lancashire.
You do not need previous Rural Housing Enabler experience. We are particularly interested in hearing from people with experience in community development, housing, planning, regeneration, local government, parish councils, housing associations or community-led housing.
What matters most is your ability to bring people together, work with evidence, develop partnerships and help turn ideas into action.
For an informal discussion about the role, contact Joe Hannett, CEO, Community Futures.
Closing date for applications: 3 September 2026
Interviews: 23-25 September 2026
Start date: 1 October 2026, – subject to notice periods and satisfactory pre-employment checks
We encourage interested applicants to explore the activity of Rural Housing Enablers across England. Examples highlight a fantastic insight into the role and how the project supports rural communities to identify and address local housing need.
Delivery of rural affordable housing sites has declined across England in recent years, and there appear to be no plans for affordable rural homes across Lancashire which are not part of large developments. When communities work together to develop more rural solutions to meet their needs, and when people have real options in the places they want to live, this can be beneficial for an entire community as it makes a village a more sustainable place.
The purpose of this project is to enable small numbers of affordable homes to be built, in suitable locations to meet local needs, all led by the local community and, to inform DEFRA of the key factors which help and hinder rural affordable home development.
We have developed a small partnership comprising district council planning teams, charitable and faith groups, rural business groups, and “registered providers” (Housing Associations) who will guide the work of the RHE service.
If you are part of a community or business group looking at local housing needs, or are a parish council member, and would like to know more; please get in touch on the details below.
In January 2025, Silverdale Parish Council, working in partnership with the Lancashire Rural Housing Enabler Service, carried out a Housing Needs Survey to better understand local affordable housing needs.
Over 30 residents attended the Public Meeting held on Saturday 11 April 2026 at Silverdale Village Institute to hear of plans to build affordable homes in the village for local people. Silverdale Parish Council have released a news article covering the latest updates regarding affordable homes in the parish.
