Homes England today (24 February) opened bidding from developers for funding from the government’s £39bn Social and Affordable Homes Programme (SAHP) 2026-36.
The programme was announced in last year’s Spending Review to replace the Conservative government’s Affordable Homes Programme. At least £27bn worth of funding will be provided via Homes England.
The 10-year programme aims to accelerate the development of around 300,000 homes during the period, with developers required to include at least a 60% provision for social rented housing.
Housing minister Matthew Pennycook said: “Today marks an important milestone in the government’s ambition to deliver the biggest increase in social and affordable housebuilding in a generation as we open our new Social and Affordable Homes Programme for business.
“We have given providers the funding and regulatory certainty they need and we’re now calling on them to come forward with bold, ambitious bids so we can kickstart a decade of social and affordable housing renewal.”
Homes England said the funding would be available via two routes: continuous market engagement, enabling partners to work with the agency on a scheme-by-scheme basis; and the strategic partnership framework, which offers long-term funding to partners, enabling Homes England to allocate larger funding packages to support ambitious development programmes.
Homes England chief executive Amy Rees said: “The launch of the SAHP marks a significant step in accelerating the delivery of much-needed affordable housing across England.
“Our updated bidding guidance clearly sets out what we are looking for: high-quality, deliverable schemes that prioritise social rent and demonstrate strong value for money.
“We are not just accelerating the supply of new homes, but reshaping the future of affordable housing across the country, driving forward the government’s ambition to build 1.5 million new homes in this parliament and helping to create new vibrant, thriving communities.”
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