The EHI has had a positive impact on the regeneration of areas with empty properties. The presence of the EHI-funded projects has tended to act as a catalyst and stimulus in brownfield sites and town centres. Several historic properties that had plans for redevelopment and had attracted some funding would not have gone ahead in the timescale they did without EHI funding. Many EHI-supported projects have helped to secure the built heritage, contribute to community regeneration and guarantee a viable end use of the property. EHI projects tended to be located in areas of high demand where there is a shortage of affordable housing, and therefore in general did not displace other housing supply.
Displacement is more likely to occur in areas of low demand for affordable housing.
This highlights the need to conduct sound market analysis to determine that there is a demand for affordable housing before such projects are progressed. Partnerships The EHI was very successful at bringing partnerships into the projects. The results of the evaluation indicate that proactive and enthusiastic partnerships were a key success factor in project implementation. The most successful partnerships were characterised by good informal relationships, which underpinned complex contractual arrangements. The results of the evaluation suggest that private finance can be more easily mobilised for major structural upgrading and conversion projects than for minor refurbishment works and redecoration.