The social housing pipeline: commercial opportunities for developers

New funding, new opportunities: How developers can make the most of social housing investment.

Rachel Reeves’ Spring Statement introduced a transformative £2 billion grant funding package aimed at fund 18,000 new affordable homes as part of its strategy to deliver 1.5 million homes in England by the end of the Parliament.  

This announcement has sparked renewed interest not only from social housing developers but also from private housing builders looking to make the most of the emerging opportunities. 

While the political commitment to affordable housing is clear, it’s the commercial potential that’s grabbing attention. So, how can both social and private developers take advantage of this funding to unlock profitable work and long-term stability? 

Commercial Potential: The Pipeline of Projects  

The additional funds will help housing associations to bring on to site approved projects. There are 419 projects involving 33,373 units across England that have secured planning approval but have yet to start on site. The distribution of these projects varies greatly by region. Taking a closer look at the data at a regional level helps pinpoint the best opportunities for developers to step in and make progress.  

Source: Glenigan

Maximising Commercial Benefits 

The funding may also help unlock private housing projects. Some developers have struggled to find housing associations willing to take on the affordable homes required under Section 106 agreements. The added support will allow social landlords to acquire these properties, enabling builders to meet their planning obligations, move forward with the broader site development, and receive a welcome boost to their cashflow.   

This additional funding should help unlock opportunities across several social and private housing sites over the coming months.