A new framework to measure the social impact of AHBs in Ireland

Approved Housing Bodies (AHBs) are independent, not-for-profit organisations that are becoming increasingly important within the Irish housing sector. In 2022, they delivered 44% of all new social homes and 69% of all Cost Rental properties, and government policy envisages a larger role for AHBs within the sector. Yet not enough is known about the profile of tenants that live in AHB housing and how acquiring a home impacts them.

In recognition of these data gaps, three of the largest AHBs – Clúid Housing, Respond and Circle VHA – commissioned Just Economics to identify common outcomes across the AHB sector and a methodology for measuring those outcomes and determining social impact. The resulting measurement framework was informed by both international best practice and stakeholder views on the things that tenants value.

The longer-term goal of the framework is for it to be adopted more widely throughout the AHB sector, and in the wider housing sector, in order to support the development of a more robust evidence base that can inform future housing policy.

To this end, the purpose of this report is to share the measurement framework with the wider sector.

Click to view “The Social Impact of Approved Housing Bodies in Ireland – Introducing the Social Impact Measurement Framework (SIMF)”

Click to view “The Social Impact of Approved Housing Bodies in Ireland – Measurement Framework Evidence Summary“