Andy Burnham announces £10bn from the £39bn Social and Affordable Homes Programme to support 73,600 new social and affordable homes over the next decade
Nearly £10bn has been allocated to 33 Strategic Partners*, supporting the delivery of 73,600 new social and affordable homes over the next decade outside London. The government says the funding marks a significant step towards the biggest expansion of council housebuilding in decades.
The statement comes as almost 180,000 children are reported to be growing up in temporary accommodation, while many more households remain on local authority housing waiting lists.
Prime Minister Andy Burnham stated: “No child should be raised in a hostel room. And no family should wait ten years for a front door of their own.”
Councils return to the heart of housebuilding
For the first time, three councils – Cambridge City Council, Eastleigh Borough Council and Newcastle City Council – have been awarded Strategic Partnership status with Homes England.
Announcing the funding, PM Andy Burnham said: “Councils built this country out of a housing crisis once before. Backed properly, and trusted to get on with it, they will do it again.”
Regional housing investment
Greater Manchester is set to receive £529m, supporting around 4,400 homes, while West Yorkshire will receive £441m for around 4,000 homes. The North East is allocated £445m for around 3,400 homes, while the West Midlands receives £409m for approximately 3,200 homes.
In London, the Greater London Authority intends to offer at least £6bn to social and affordable housing providers, with councils expected to deliver more than half of the funded homes.
£46m boost for council capacity
A further £46m will be provided over three years through the Capacity to Build programme to strengthen councils’ skills and capacity to develop and acquire new homes.
Funding will support early-stage development, specialist advice and recruitment, including through an expanded Pathways to Planning graduate scheme.
The government has also introduced measures including allowing councils to retain 100% of Right to Buy receipts, a ten-year social housing rent settlement and continued access to preferential Public Works Loan Board borrowing rates.
Construction sector set for housing pipeline
The government says the programme will support jobs across construction and related supply chains, while investment in skills and Modern Methods of Construction could create further opportunities for contractors and suppliers.
*Strategic Partners to the Social and Affordable Homes Programme (SAHP) 2026 to 2036 are:
| Organisation | Homes | Grant** |
|---|---|---|
| Abri Group Limited | 1,967 | £350.0m |
| Accent Housing Limited | 1,340 | £172.4m |
| Amplius Living | 2,500 | £320.5m |
| Aster Communities | 1,320 | £240.0m |
| Bromford Flagship Livewest Limited | 2,629 | £350.0m |
| Cambridge City Council | 803 | £96.4m |
| Clarion Housing Association Limited | 2,977 | £350.0m |
| Eastleigh Borough Council | 1,042 | £154.4m |
| EMH Housing and Regeneration Limited | 2,495 | £314.5m |
| Great Places Housing Association | 2,600 | £320.6m |
| Hyde Housing Association Limited | 2,250 | £349.9m |
| Jigsaw Homes North | 1,990 | £249.5m |
| Karbon Homes Limited | 2,533 | £350.0m |
| Magna Housing Limited | 1,500 | £250.0m |
| Metropolitan Housing Trust Limited | 2,500 | £299.8m |
| Midland Heart Limited | 1,820 | £225.1m |
| Newcastle City Council | 966 | £141.4m |
| Onward Homes Limited | 3,000 | £345.1m |
| Orbit Group Limited | 3,335 | £350.0m |
| Park Properties HA Ltd | 1,500 | £148.9m |
| Places For People Group Limited | 2,595 | £350.0m |
| Platform Housing Group Limited | 2,800 | £350.0m |
| Plymouth Community Homes Limited | 1,500 | £250.0m |
| Sage Homes RP Limited | 2,772 | £350.0m |
| Sanctuary Housing Association | 2,000 | £350.0m |
| Stonewater Limited | 2,348 | £350.0m |
| Thirteen Housing Group Limited | 2,750 | £349.2m |
| Together Housing Association Limited | 3,200 | £326.6m |
| Torus62 Limited | 2,865 | £349.9m |
| Vico Homes Limited | 2,200 | £250.0m |
| Vistry Homes Limited | 3,028 | £350.0m |
| Vivid Housing Limited | 2,482 | £349.9m |
| Yorkshire Housing Limited | 2,010 | £230.0m |
** denotes figures rounded to the nearest £100,000.
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