Overview

• The Affordable Homes Programme commits £39 billion over ten years to build 300,000 homes, including 180,000 at social rent, by 2035.
• From October 2026 housing association leaders must hold relevant qualifications and providers will publish complaints and health-and-safety data from 2027.
• For the first time social housing will face minimum energy-efficiency standards and the Decent Homes Standard will extend to private rentals.
• Last year saw only 9,866 social homes built against 17,589 sold or demolished, creating a net loss of 7,723 and fueling warnings from Shelter about capacity shortfalls.
• Home Builders Federation figures show planning approvals and EPC certifications have stalled, raising concerns that bottlenecks and rising costs could delay delivery.