Starlight Investments UK’s Build-to-Rent Fund II has secured a major investment from the National Housing Bank (NHB), supporting the delivery of 6,000 new homes across the UK
The investment sees NHB join Starlight as a cornerstone investor, providing significant backing for the growth of the Build-to-Rent sector and helping accelerate the development of professionally managed rental housing.
International capital to build thousands of new homes across England
Based originally in Toronto, Starlight now manages over 4,000 homes and £1.1bn in assets in the UK. NHB’s investment will help to grow this portfolio.
The investment-led expansion will target the development of rental housing in historically undersupplied areas, such as Manchester, Liverpool, Leeds, and Commuter Belt locations in London.
It will also focus on delivering professionally managed homes in well-connected areas close to major employment hubs, educational institutions, and transport infrastructure.
The £100m investment will be provided in phases to maintain ongoing support for the development pipeline.
Simon Century, chief executive officer at the National Housing Bank, said: “This is exactly the kind of investment – made through the government’s National Housing Bank – that will help to transform England’s housing market.
“Supporting international capital in committing to building thousands of new homes in towns and cities across the country is a hugely encouraging sign that England’s residential market is open for business and able to attract institutional investment to support growth.
“Starlight’s approach to development, professional management and institutional ownership of mid-market rental housing aligns with our place-based priorities. We welcome this partnership as part of our efforts to help communities access the homes they need.”
NHB’s investment is part of Homes England’s 2025-2030 strategy
In December last year, Homes England announced a new strategy for 2025-2030, with six objectives to drive collaboration and the creation of new, sustainable homes in line with government housing targets.
The six objectives of the new Homes England strategy are as follows:
- Significantly increase new housing supply and accelerate housing delivery across all tenures.
- Deliver the biggest increase in social and affordable homes in a generation.
- Unlock new institutional investment for housing and mixed-use schemes and deliver financial returns.
- Collaborate with partners and local leaders to enable development and regeneration that boosts local economic growth.
- Foster innovation and create market conditions to support a dynamic, diverse, and sustainable built environment and housing sector.
- Ensure homes are safe, secure and decent, and residents are safeguarded.
At the time, housing secretary, Steve Reed, said: “Homes England is playing a key role in building more new homes by bringing in essential private investment and supporting the biggest boost to social and affordable housing in a generation. The launch of their new plan today kicks off a new phase of working together to invest in housebuilding at scale that will help us bring the housing crisis to an end.”
Pat Ritchie CBE, chair of Homes England, said: “This Strategic Plan marks the start of a new chapter of strengthened collaboration, innovation, and delivery at scale. Through partnership and a deep understanding of local needs, we can create a much-needed step change in the delivery of new homes, including social housing, and affordable communities– directly addressing the needs of current and future generations and ensuring everyone can have a safe place to live and thrive.”
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