Social and Affordable Homes Programme: Outline Guidance Published Ahead of 2026 Launch
Homes England urges providers and local leaders to access information and support in run-up to launch of new £27.2bn fund
Homes England has published information about the new Social and Affordable Homes Programme (SAHP) ahead of bidding applications opening in early 2026.
The GOV.UK update is part of a broader engagement campaign to help stakeholders, including potential grant applicants, access information and support ahead of the new 10 year programme launching.
The SAHP 2026 – 2036 represents the largest investment in social and affordable housing in a generation, with registered housing providers, local authorities, house-builders, developers, charities and community groups eligible to apply for grant funding.
Bidding is expected to open in February 2026, subject to completion of relevant Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) processes, with the first grants due in April 2026.
The SAHP aims to help achieve the government’s commitment to delivering 1.5 million homes in this parliament and Homes England will manage at least £27.2 billion of funding to help deliver social and affordable homes across England (excluding London, which is funded separately).
The Agency will continue to work closely with regional leaders and mayors in delivering the new programme, reflecting its overall focus on working hand-in-glove with local leaders to deliver the homes and thriving places people need across the country.
Established Mayoral Strategic Authorities will be able to set the strategic direction of the new SAHP in their areas, including shaping tenure mix and identifying priority sites for social and affordable housing development.
The new programme also aims to:
-
ensure three in every five new homes delivered are for social rent,
-
support delivery of specialist and supported housing, community-led and rural housing, and an increase in council house-building.
Homes England Chair Pat Ritchie CBE said:
We have designed the new programme to support local leaders to meet the affordable and social housing needs of the people they serve, and to give long-term confidence to the housing sector to invest and achieve such vital ambitions through collaboration and partnership.
The commitment of £2 billion in bridge funding will help ensure the existing momentum to create new affordable and social homes continues, and builds further as the current programme ends and the new one begins. Its 10-year programme life gives delivery partners the stability and confidence to plan, invest, and build at scale for the good of communities.
Many of the new programme’s requirements mirror the current (2021-26) programme, including Homes England managing all provider bids, with two different application routes available.
The first, Continuous Market Engagement (CME) route, is where an applicant will deliver on a specific site or sites, while the second, Strategic Partnership route, is where the applicant will deliver a set amount of homes over a set time period.
A new digital system will be introduced to streamline applications and grant management, with further guidance and information provided ahead of bidding opening.
Homes England Affordable Housing Director Shahi Islam said:
Our aim is for at least three in every five affordable homes funded through this programme to be for Social Rent, and our team is equally passionate about supporting locally-led ambitions to provide specialist, supported and community housing across the country.
Together, we are building on what works. Many programme requirements will mirror the current 2021–2026 Affordable Homes Programme, helping maintain delivery momentum and minimise disruption.
The new guidance has been released now to help the sector prepare for the new programme ahead of its official launch and the application window opening. Now is the time to reach out for support and our team is ready and waiting to help stakeholders be clear and confident in how they can contribute to delivering much needed affordable and social rent homes for communities the length and breadth of the country.
The guidance can be accessed here: SAHP Online Guidance
Providers can access further support by contacting: SAHP@homesengland.gov.uk
For media requests please contact media@homesEngland.gov.uk
Ends