JV North, a consortium of housing associations and local authorities, has unveiled a new £500 million procurement framework aimed at delivering over 3,000 affordable homes between 2025 and 2029.

The initiative marks a significant boost for social housing and the construction sector.

The framework is open to construction companies of all sizes, with project lots categorised into three value ranges: up to £4 million, £4 million to £12 million, and £12 million and over. JV North plans to appoint approximately 10 contractors per lot but remains flexible to ensure sufficient capacity to meet its ambitious building targets.

Consultancy opportunities are also available for a wide range of services, including architecture, engineering, employers’ agents, purchaser agents, clerks of works, and principal designers. Notably, for the first time, JV North is seeking principal designers specifically for Building Regulations compliance.

-- Advertisement --

Saffer Cooper Consultancy, managing the procurement process, is encouraging broad participation from contractors and consultants. To facilitate this, JV North is hosting virtual engagement sessions on December 4 for contractors and December 5 for consultants, offering insights into the framework and guidance on the application process.

An Invitation to Tender (ITT) will be issued on the Delta eSourcing portal, with the ITT for contractors going live on January 13 and the ITT for consultants following on January 20. Submissions close on March 3, and successful bidders will be announced on May 19. The framework is set to begin on August 2, 2025.

The announcement aligns with the government's recent Autumn Budget, which allocated a £500 million top-up to the Affordable Homes Programme, with additional funds anticipated in the Spring Spending Review. JV North’s framework underscores the consortium's commitment to expanding social housing stock while fostering collaboration within the construction industry.