Editor's note: This brief was summarised by The Property AI Newsroom from a report by Mortgage Solutions. Read the original article for full details.

Homes England Awards Grants for Social and Affordable Housing Delivery

Homes England has announced that 33 organisations have been selected as strategic partners for the Social and Affordable Homes Programme (SAHP) 2026-36. These partners will receive grant funding to deliver social and affordable homes across England, excluding London.

Among the largest allocations, Orbit Group Limited will receive £350 million to deliver 3,335 homes, and Vistry Homes Limited has secured £350 million to build 3,028 homes. Onward Homes Limited is set to deliver 3,000 homes with £345.1 million in funding, while Clarion Housing Association Limited will receive £350 million to provide 2,977 homes. Other major recipients include Torus62 Limited, which will deliver 2,865 homes with £349.9 million in grant funding; Platform Housing Group Limited, which will provide 2,800 homes backed by £350 million; and Sage Homes RP Limited, which will deliver 2,772 homes with £350 million of support.

The funding allocations were awarded in line with government priorities and are intended to maximise both housing delivery and value for money from public investment.

For letting agents and inventory clerks, the delivery of thousands of new social and affordable homes is likely to impact the rental market, particularly in areas outside London. The increased supply of affordable housing may influence demand for private rentals and could affect inventory management as new stock enters the market.

The announcement also highlighted the need for safeguards to ensure that these properties are accessed by those who genuinely need them. Concerns were raised about the potential for landlords to purchase affordable homes and rent them out, rather than the homes being made available to those waiting for affordable housing.

The programme is described as a significant opportunity for the sector, with a focus on collaboration between Homes England, regional leaders, and sector partners to deliver high-quality homes and thriving communities. The importance of professional skills and expertise in planning, valuation, development, construction, and asset management was also noted as essential for delivering homes at scale.