Homes England has officially invited bids for the Social and Affordable Homes Programme (SAHP) 2026-2036. The initiative is designed to significantly increase the supply of social rent, affordable rent, and shared ownership properties, forming a central pillar of the government's wider £39 billion investment into the sector.

Of that total investment, at least £27 billion will be administered by Homes England. The programme aims to facilitate the largest increase in social and affordable housing for a generation, with a specific mandate that partners must deliver at least 60% of their homes for social rent.

To support diverse delivery models, the Agency has outlined two distinct pathways for providers to access funding:

• Continuous Market Engagement (CME): This route allows partners to collaborate with the Agency on a scheme-by-scheme basis throughout the programme's duration. It offers flexibility to address specific local housing requirements while providing grant funding certainty.

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• Strategic Partnership Framework: Aimed at those delivering at significant pace and scale, this framework provides long-term funding certainty. It allows Homes England to allocate larger financial packages to support ambitious, multi-site delivery programmes.

Alongside the launch, updated bidding guidance has been published to assist partners in navigating requirements. The refreshed programme places a heavy emphasis on high standards of safety, design, and sustainability, while prioritising mixed-tenure developments.

Housing and Planning Minister, Matthew Pennycook said: "Today marks an important milestone in the government's ambition to deliver the biggest increase in social and affordable housebuilding in a generation as we open our new Social and Affordable Homes Programme for business. Working in close partnership with the sector, we have given providers the funding and regulatory certainty they need and we're now calling on them to come forward with bold, ambitious bids so we can kickstart a decade of social and affordable housing renewal."

The programme is a key component of the broader governmental target to construct 1.5 million new homes during the current parliament. By focusing on deliverable, high-quality schemes, the Agency intends to create sustainable communities that offer strong value for money.

Amy Rees CB, Chief Executive of Homes England, said: "The launch of the Social and Affordable Homes Programme marks a significant step in accelerating the delivery of much-needed affordable housing across England. Our updated bidding guidance clearly sets out what we are looking for: high-quality, deliverable schemes that prioritise social rent and demonstrate strong value for money. We are not just accelerating the supply of new homes, but reshaping the future of affordable housing across the country, driving forward the government's ambition to build 1.5 million new homes in this parliament and helping to create new vibrant, thriving communities."