What we do
The Joseph Rowntree Foundation (JRF) and Joseph Rowntree Housing Trust (JRHT) are two independent charities that work together to understand the root causes of social problems, identify ways of overcoming them, and show how social needs can be met in practice.
The Joseph Rowntree Foundation (JRF) is an endowed foundation that funds a large, UK-wide research and development programme. The Joseph Rowntree Housing Trust (JRHT) is a registered housing association, managing around 2,500 homes, and is a registered provider of care services.
Our purpose is to influence policy and practice by searching for evidence and demonstrating solutions to improve:
- the circumstances of people experiencing poverty and disadvantage;
- the quality of their homes and communities;
- the nature of the services and support that foster their well-being and citizenship.
JRF and JRHT have no political affiliations and work in partnership with all sectors – private, public and voluntary.
We aim to present evidence in a balanced, unbiased way and to stimulate debate on current and emerging issues.
In all our work, we look to reflect the diversity of the UK population, learn from others and operate in a sustainable way - socially, environmentally and economically - finding practical and realistic solutions and focusing on the needs of disadvantaged people. Through our housing, community and care services, we aim to achieve the highest professional standards.
Most of our work centres on the interconnected themes of poverty, place and empowerment. In 2009–2011 we will also continue to look at some of the themes that emerged from our social evils programme, launched in 2007 to understand people's perceptions of social evil in the 21st century.