Social and Affordable Homes Programme session a success with members
We were recently joined by Homes England for an informative session on the new Social and Affordable Homes Programme. The discussion confirmed that Social Rent will remain a key priority and Homes England outlined the timelines for delivery, with bidding for the new programme opening in February 2026.
The session was Chaired by NHC Executive Director (Policy and External Affairs) Patrick Murray, and we were joined by Ian Workman, Chief Customer Officer, Homes England and Miranda Foster, Head of Affordable Housing Programmes, Homes England.
The event proved popular with members. Topics discussed included flexibility in the programme, such as opportunities for portfolio bidding, regeneration and different methods of demonstrating additionality; and how the programme intends to work with mayoral authorities to align with strategic priorities in those areas.
Homes England aims to have more information available in the new year and said there will be opportunities to engage with them on the programme and the bidding process.
The NHC has welcomed the new Social and Affordable Homes Programme Prospectus, with the scale of the investment and the focus on Social Rent. The Prospectus sets out that that 70 per cent of the programme will be delivered outside London (the highest ever level), that there will be flexibility around regeneration and how net additionality is measured, and that Strategic Mayoral Combined Authorities will play a bigger role. This is all welcome news for the North and our members. We did a member briefing on the programme prospectus that can be found here.
Homes England recently launched an Investment Roadmap setting out key milestones up to April 2026, alongside their five year strategic plan.
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Thank you to Homes England for an informative session on the new Social and Affordable Homes Programme. The discussion confirmed that Social Rent will remain a key priority and Homes England outlined the timeline for bidding and delivery with bidding opening in February 2026.
The session was chaired by NHC Executive Director (Policy and External Affairs) Patrick Murray and we were joined by Ian Workman, Chief Customer Officer, Homes England and Miranda Foster, Head of Affordable Housing Programmes, Homes England.
This session proved popular with members. Topics discussed included flexibility in the programme, such as opportunities for portfolio bidding, regeneration and different methods of demonstrating additionality; and how the programme intends to work with mayoral authorities to align with strategic priorities in those areas.
Homes England aims to have more information available in the new year and said there will be opportunities to engage with them on the programme and the bidding process. They recently launched their Investment Roadmap setting out key milestones up to April 2026. Links to some useful documents are in the comments including the Investment Roadmap and the NHC’s member briefing on the Social and Affordable Homes Prospetcus.
Links in Comments
NHC member briefing on Social and Affordable Homes Prospectus:
Homes England Investment Roadmap:
