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.
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.
