HCA publish public sector economic appraisal guide

Housing Wed, Mar 23, 2016 10:30 AM

The Homes and Communities Agency (HCA) has published the 4th edition of its popular Additionality Guide, which is used to explain how to appraise the additional impacts of an intervention of a project.

A well-known concept, “additionality” is the extent to which something happens as a result of an intervention that would not otherwise have occurred. In the last decade, the whole concept has become a key economic appraisal tool, not just in the field of regeneration and housing, but across the public sector and wider afield.

This edition of the  HCA’s Additionality Guide, which is aimed at both economists and non-specialists, includes new benchmark evidence on the scale of each of the additionality factors, reference to new research, additional information and links to guidance on valuing benefits.

The Guide has attracted interest not only from academia but also the likes of HM Treasury and World Bank.

Economist at the HCA, Simon Dancer, said: "It’s amazing the level of interest we still get for the Additionality Guide, even after all these years.  What started off life as a niche technical guide for regeneration professionals is now used in very different fields to help inform better public policy decisions.

“The interest from the World Bank, and how this methodology might improve access to financial services in developing countries is a good example”.