Publication

Spotlight: Releasing untapped potential for more housing

Housing associations could deliver an additional 44,000 new homes a year

Summary

■ Housing associations (HAs) have the financial capacity to more than double their output and bring forward 44,000 extra new homes by 2029 through additional asset-backed borrowing.

■ Some form of subsidy is critical to deliver these homes across a range of tenures and to achieve affordability. In the absence of grant, HAs would need to secure land at zero or low value to deliver shared ownership or affordable rent housing.

■ Almost half of the additional financial capacity to become a new class of home builder rests with large scale voluntary transfer (LSVT) associations, particularly larger ones.

■ The structure of HAs also allows for continuing housing delivery through housing market cycles. Their existing stock provides an ideal asset to borrow against during periods of tighter development funding.

■ Opportunities for growth exist in most areas, particularly where there is activity linked to inward investment, infrastructure spending and the Devolution agenda. We have also highlighted areas where limited developer diversity provides opportunities for HAs to compete.

■ There are significant barriers including: skills shortage, lender attitudes and regulatory concerns. Greater collaboration within the sector is key. This is likely to include more mergers and innovative partnerships.

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