Respond, Clúid and Circle are pleased to announce an exciting research partnership to identify the social impact of living in an Approved Housing Body (AHB) home. While many are aware of the far-reaching benefits of social housing, it is important that these benefits can be clearly identified and measured, allowing us to understand the value of social housing and consistently improve our work as housing providers into the future. This will assist us in demonstrating the value of social housing to Government, funders and the general public.

Several examples and resources for measuring social value and the impact of social housing providers exist internationally. For instance, the Housing Association Charitable Trust (HACT) have developed the ‘Wellbeing Valuation approach’ and the’ Social Value Bank’ as resources for housing associations in the UK, to measure the social impact of their community investment. The Hyde Group, also in the UK, published a report in 2018 entitled, ‘The Value of a Social Housing Tenancy’, that uses the ‘Theory of Change’ to understand how providing social tenancies creates value. Social Value International, a ‘global network focused on social impact and social value’ has also developed Seven Principles of Social Value, which have been utilised by a number of not-for-profit organisations in Ireland, including the GAA and credit unions.

With this in mind, we are seeking research proposals from researchers/academics and organisations with an interest in social and cost rental housing and the identification and measurement of the impact of this housing on individuals, families, society and the economy. The total budget for this piece of research is €40,000.

Full details are available in the Call for Research Proposal document, which you can download HERE.

Application process

The deadline for submission of proposals is 5 p.m. on 2^nd March 2022.

The amount awarded for the successful applicant (s) will be a maximum of €40,000.

To apply, download the application form HERE.