Council Housebuilding Support Fund: If your bid is unsuccessful
What support is available to unsuccessful applicants to the Council Housebuilding Support Fund.
Applies to England
Capacity to Build (2026 to 2029)
The Council Housebuilding Support Fund forms part of Capacity to Build from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG).
£46 million will be invested over 3 years through the programme to support councils in England to deliver more social and affordable homes.
The programme aims to help councils improve workforce capability, recruit and retain staff in specialist housebuilding roles and develop and accelerate bids for grant funding through the Social and Affordable Homes Programme (SAHP).
Councils may benefit from support through more than 1 element of the programme where different needs have been identified. When applying to a particular element of the programme, applicants should clearly explain how any request for support complements, rather than duplicates, support they may already be receiving through another element of the programme.
Council Housebuilding Support Service
The Council Housebuilding Support Service (CHoSS) is delivered by the Local Government Association and provides tailored support to help councils establish, strengthen, or accelerate their council housebuilding programmes.
Following an assessment of each council’s housing delivery capability and needs, support may include:
- technical and specialist advice
- training
- workshops
- tools
- published guidance
- peer learning
Councils may receive more than 1 package of support where different or additional needs are identified.
The expanded Pathways to Planning programme
The Pathways to Planning programme delivered by the Local Government Association has been expanded. It supports councils to recruit and retain graduates in specialist housebuilding roles, including surveying and construction project management.
The programme provides salary and learning bursaries to support participation, helping councils attract and develop talent in these specialist roles. Graduates are supported through structured training and accreditation routes, helping councils build a sustainable pipeline of skilled staff for housing delivery. The expanded programme aims to recruit graduates into specialist housebuilding roles between 2026 and 2029.