Bid to take part in the First Homes early delivery programme 2021 to 2023
Interested providers can submit applications on the Investment Management System until 27 September 2021.
Applies to England
About the scheme
On 1 April, the government published its response to the latest consultation on First Homes, which reaffirmed its commitment that 25% of affordable homes delivered through developer contributions in future should be First Homes.
In advance of delivery through the planning system, this procurement is for a First Homes Early delivery programme for 2021 to 2023 that will deliver an estimated 1,500 First Homes for sale in England (excluding London), with the first purchaser legal completions anticipated from the end of 2021.
The scheme will run until the end of March 2023, and we are now inviting homebuilders to apply.
Applications will close on 27 September 2021.
Who can apply
The intention is to procure from house builders schemes suitable for the First Homes early delivery programme.
We welcome responses from house building companies of all sizes inclusive of public, private, for profit and not for profit organisations who are also engaged in house building. This can include, for example, housing associations and local authorities or local authority companies.
All the criteria we will apply are listed in the Invitation to Tender (ITT) on the ProContract system.
We will score each submission against our requirements which are also set out in the ITT.
A worked example of scoring and grant allocation will be available soon to all suppliers on ProContract.
How to apply
You need to apply through Homes England’s Investment Management System (IMS).
You must have an IMS account to do this. If you do not, you can read more about the system and register.
You will be given a separate IMS login to use for this procurement programme – details are in the ITT.
As part of your application, you will also need to complete and submit (on ProContract) these forms in Part B of the ITT:
- B1: Certificate of Non-Collusion and Non-Canvassing
- B2: Suitability Assessment
- B4: Pricing Schedule
- B5: Form of Tender
After you apply
We expect to start making contract awards from November 2021.
Process for successful bidders
- You must modify your Local Planning Agreement, using the local criteria from the local authority, and when this has legally completed, can then begin marketing.
- With mortgage advisors, you use the eligibility criteria to assess a buyer’s potential eligibility.
- You help purchasers complete the standardised application pack, make a reservation payment and the completed application is sent to the local authority for approval.
- You manage reservations based on eligible buyers who can make a reservation payment. You will not have to manage separate lists of applications or local authority nominations for First Homes.
- The local authority reviews the application and if eligible gives their formal approval, the “Authority to Proceed”. This starts the conveyancing process. Customers cannot submit their mortgage applications unless they have a First Homes Authority to Proceed. Their conveyancer will give legal undertakings to the local authority that the purchase is compliant with all eligibility and financial requirements before requesting permission from the local authority to exchange contracts.
- At exchange of contracts, you submit your First Homes grant claim to Homes England. If a valid claim, we approve it and monies are paid to the your solicitor to hold until the purchaser’s legal completion.
Last updated 20 September 2021 + show all updates
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Changed deadline from 13 September to 27 September
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First published.