Accent Housing secures £33.8m for 300+ affordable home
Accent Housing has secured £33.8 million in government funding via Homes England to deliver 301 affordable homes across England. This is part of a wider push to accelerate affordable housing under the Affordable Homes Programme 2021–2026.
What this means for you
- Housebuilders: Opportunities to partner with housing associations like Accent and Thrive Homes on funded developments — especially in regions like Yorkshire, Surrey, and Hertfordshire.
- Estate Agents: A growing pipeline of affordable homes means more stock for rental and shared ownership listings, particularly in high-demand areas.
- Property Developers: Strategic partnerships with housing associations may unlock access to land, funding, and long-term development pipelines.
Accent aims to build 600 homes per year until 2027, with several regeneration and mixed-tenure projects already underway. This funding signals continued government backing for affordable housing — and a chance for industry players to get involved.
NHF Warns against cutting London’s affordable housing targets
The National Housing Federation (NHF) has spoken out against proposals to reduce London’s 35% affordable housing requirement for new developments. The Mayor of London is reportedly considering lowering the threshold to as little as 10–15% to address viability concerns and boost stalled housing delivery.
What this means for the industry
- Housebuilders: A lower target could make more sites financially viable, especially in high-cost areas — but risks long-term reputational and policy uncertainty.
- Estate Agents: Fewer affordable homes may reduce rental and shared ownership stock, impacting lower-income buyers and renters.
- Property Developers: While flexibility may unlock stalled projects, developers should prepare for scrutiny around social value and community impact.
NHF chief Kate Henderson stressed that “watering down targets is not the answer,” citing nearly 95,000 children in temporary accommodation in London alone. The sector is calling for balanced solutions that protect affordable housing delivery while addressing development challenges.
Major housing overhaul to benefit Midlands and North
The UK government has announced a major housing reform aimed at boosting development in the Midlands and North of England, regions often overlooked in national housing strategies.
What’s changing?
- Planning rules are being streamlined to speed up approvals and reduce red tape.
- Focus is shifting to brownfield development, unlocking land near new transport hubs like Worcestershire Parkway.
- The Midlands Rail Hub will support housing growth by improving access to jobs and services, enabling up to 10,000 new homes near key stations.
What this means for you
- Housebuilders: Expect faster planning decisions and new opportunities near transport-led regeneration zones.
- Estate Agents: More housing stock in emerging commuter areas could reshape local markets.
- Property Developers: Strategic infrastructure investment opens doors for mixed-use and large-scale residential schemes.
With the government targeting 1.5 million new homes by 2030, this overhaul signals a strong push to rebalance housing delivery across the UK.
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