The central theme of this report is the application of good practice to overcome barriers to delivery. The demand for rural affordable housing is unanimously acknowledged by academic, government, and media reports. The key question to address is not why rural housing is important, but how it can be delivered. A rural communications plan should detail the mechanisms by which key stakeholders can be properly informed about existing rural planning policy, allocations, affordable housing (and lack of) in rural communities, and the available channels of communication to the local authority and rural housing partnership.

The data analysis focused on the dialogues with local authorities. The structure and framework of this report do not allow for a full analysis of the dialogues the project held with Registered Providers, Rural Community Councils, and other organizations involved in the enabling process. But, all evaluative conclusions and recommendations take this data fully into account. In fact, the focus on Rural Housing Partnerships is indicative of the manifest importance of the respective parties within policy and procedure relating to rural affordable housing delivery. No local authority can be a successful enabler across their small rural settlements without the employment of the expertise of partners; this being a fundamental principle of an enhanced rural enabling approach.