New National Housing Bank

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The new National Housing Bank, announced last month, will be a subsidiary of Homes England.

It will manage £16 billion of investment made up of loans, equity and guarantees, looking to support the development of 500,000 new homes. It hopes to accelerate housebuilding and leverage in £53 billion of additional private investment.

The approach will mean Homes England is able to issue government guarantees directly and have greater autonomy and flexibility to make long-term investments.

There will be £2.5 billion of low interest loans to support the building of social and affordable homes.

The Bank will work with strategic authorities and local leaders to establish localised packages of support aligned with housing and regeneration priorities in those areas.

The Government says the National Housing Bank will be able to act as a consistent partner to the private sector, bringing the stability and certainty that housing developers and investors need to make delivery happen. It will also support SMEs with new lending products and enable developers to unlock large, complex sites through infrastructure finance.

A National Housing Delivery Fund will complement capital investment from the new National Housing Bank through £5bn in grant funding for infrastructure and land. This package will drive growth and transform places, boosting housing supply on otherwise unviable large and complex sites. It will also support land assembly, remediation and up-front infrastructure delivery.  

The National Housing Bank is good news for the North. It should boost delivery of new homes, particularly on more complex sites, such as those on brownfield land. Our Brownfield First research has identified that there is capacity for 320,000 new homes on brownfield land in the North, so unlocking these homes is a priority.

For more information visit GOV.UK and read the housing minister’s statement to the House.

Government announces consultation on how to reintroduce rent convergence

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As part of the Government’s new five-step plan for social and affordable housing, published on 2nd July, the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MCHLG) have launched a new consultation on how to implement rent convergence.

The Government recently confirmed, as part of the Spending Review, that social housing rents will be permitted to rise by the Consumer Price Index (CPI) +1% for ten years from 2026. In addition, the Spending Review confirmed that there would be a new consultation on how to implement rent convergence as part of the ten year rent settlement.

Reintroducing rent convergence will be optional for landlords, but it will allow rents for properties which have never reached target formula rent to rise by an additional level each year, in addition to CPI+1%. Once the property’s rent reaches the target level, convergence will cease and rents will only be permitted to rise in line with CPI+1% thereafter.

The consultation is running until 27th August 2025, and is seeking views principally on:

  • whether convergence should be permitted at £1 or £2 per week in addition to CPI+1%.
  • whether convergence should be permitted throughout the entirety of the ten year rent settlement or for only a portion of the period.

The consultation documents note that the potential impact of rent convergence would be felt differently across the country, with the average gap between actual rent being charged and target rents being by far greatest in London. In all three northern regions, this gap is lower than the English average, for both housing associations and local authority landlords, but the impacts of rent convergence will impact different providers in unique ways.

In our Spending Review submission and our submission to the Government’s previous consultation on rent policy, the NHC called for both a ten year rent policy of CPI+1% and the reintroduction of rent convergence at either £2 or £3 per week. The NHC highlighted that the reintroduction of rent convergence, alongside a long-term rent policy of CPI+1%, was the only way that social housing finances could return to a financially sustainable position in the long term, opening up additional capacity to invest in new and existing homes.

We will be working with our members between now and 27th August on our response to the new consultation, which can be accessed here. All views and perspectives on this consultation from members are welcome. Please contact Senior Policy and Research Manager, Tom Kennedy, to discuss these issues further at tom.kennedy@northern-consortium.org.uk

If you want to find out more about the recent announcements and contribute to the NHC’s response to the consultation, the NHC Policy team will be speaking at our ​​Policy Network​ which is due to take place on the 6th August.

 

Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards consultation launched

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A long-awaited consultation on new Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards (MEES) in social housing launched last week, with the Government seeking views on proposals until 10th September 2025.

The Government is proposing, as expected, that all social homes will be required to meet a Minimum Energy Efficiency Standard of EPC C by 2030. The EPC system will, however, be different to the one currently in use following reforms to EPCs.

Under the Government’s preferred option, properties will be required to meet a required standard under a primary ‘fabric performance metric’, and one of either a ‘heating system’ or ‘smart readiness’ metric.

  • Fabric performance metric – includes measures such as insulation, windows and doors which increase thermal comfort and reduce heat demand.
  • Heating system metric – includes the hot water and heating systems and potentially cooking appliances.
  • Smart readiness metric – includes measures such as solar PV, batteries and smart thermostats which optimise the home to integrate in a more flexible energy system and benefit from smart energy tariffs.

Exemptions

The proposals include a “time-limited spend exemption”, meaning that the maximum a landlord would be required to spend to comply with MEES before 1st April 2030 is £10,000.  If a landlord spends £10,000 on the property and it still cannot be made compliant, a ten-year exemption will be granted.

Any property that already has an EPC at C or above will be considered compliant with the new requirements until the EPC expires. This will also be the case for any properties that receive a new EPC between now and 1st April 2028.

The consultation seeks views on all of these proposals and more, with further details available here. We will be working with our members between now and 10th September on our response. All views and perspectives on this consultation from members are welcome. Please contact Senior Policy and Research Manager, Tom Kennedy, to discuss these issues further at tom.kennedy@northern-consortium.org.uk.

If you want to find out more about the recent announcements and contribute to the NHC’s response to the consultation, the NHC Policy team will be speaking at our Disrepair Network on the 24th July and the next Policy Network is due to take place on the 6th August.

Further details of the Social and Affordable Homes Programme revealed

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Alongside a raft of wider announcements, the Government last week provided additional details on the future of grant funding for affordable housebuilding. The next grant-funding programme had already been announced at the spending review, but taken together with last week’s announcements, we now have a clearer idea of what the next programme will look like.

The next programme will be renamed the “Social and Affordable Homes Programme (SAHP)” and:

  • Will deliver a total of £39 billion over ten years from 2026 – this is almost double the current level of per year spending (£3.9 billion vs £2.3 billion).
  • At least 60% of the total funding will be for social rent.
  • 70% of the funding will be outside of London reflecting a shift of funding to other areas of the country, like the North.
  • Will support regeneration sites where they provide a net increase of homes on a site, maintaining the regeneration flexibilities introduced into the current programme in 2023.
  • Strategic partnerships will continue through a competitive bidding round opening this winter, including bids for the entire ten-year programme.
  • Established Mayoral Strategic Authorities will be able to set the strategic direction of the programme in their respective areas but there will be no ring-fenced funding allocation for specific regions outside of London.
  • There will no longer be any targets for the delivery of specific types of homes e.g. rural or supported housing.

While we now know a lot about the next programme, there are still areas where we await further detail, including grant rates, how Homes England will work in its new ‘more regional model’, and exactly how strategic authorities will be able to influence programme delivery in their areas. We hope that these details and more will be provided in the SAHP prospectus, due to be published this Autumn.

The Northern Housing Consortium welcomes many of these details and many of them were included in our submission to the Spending Review, including the ability of strategic authorities to influence programme delivery in their areas, the continuation of regeneration flexibilities and ten-year strategic partnerships. We will continue to work with our members and government officials to ensure that the final SAHP prospectus reflects the needs of the North as much as possible.

 

Critical safety update from the Housing Minister

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Housing Minister Matthew Pennycook MP has written to Chief Executives and Council leaders to update them on safety legislation. He intends to share further details about future regulation on quality and safety over the coming weeks to give providers the certainty they need “to quickly ramp up investment in existing and new stock”.

The full letter is available to read here.

In this update he covers:

Awaab’s Law
The letter thanks the sector for engaging with the department on implementation of the new standards.

It confirms that Phase One of Awaab’s Law will be implemented October and Phases 2 and 3 in 2026 and 2027 respectively. It sets out clear guidance on the requirements of the new legislation.

Electrical Safety

Following consultation in 2022 “new electrical safety requirements will come into force in November requiring all landlords to inspect and test electrical installations in their properties at least every five years and carry out necessary works.”

Taking action to tackle claims farming

The letter says “we are working with the Ministry of Justice to tackle claims farming on housing disrepair cases which I know is a rising concern for landlords and tenants.”

With several significant announcements, including consultation on the new Decent Homes Standard, expected over the coming weeks the NHC continue to keep members updated and to engage with the government to represent your views.

Sharing Progress on Warmer Homes in the North West

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Earlier in June, we were pleased to welcome Selvin Brown and officials from the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) to see progress being made by NHC members in Greater Manchester to increase energy efficiency of homes.

This Greater Manchester tour follows a successful visit we organised with Selvin and his team to Government funded retrofit projects in South Yorkshire in May, and provided a useful opportunity to engage with DESNZ officials in the run up to the Spending Review.

The visit included a walking tour of Moss Side with NHC members MSV Housing – hearing about their Social Value initiatives, visiting a number of properties that have received successful retrofit works using DESNZ grant funding, and speaking with local residents about the positive impact of the works on their energy bills and wellbeing.

We also saw MSV Housing’s flagship ‘Cosy Home’ project which showcases how traditional, pre-war, brick-built, terraced houses can be made more energy efficient. Similar retrofit measures are being rolled out to 1200 hard-to-treat properties.

Over lunch, members of the Greater Manchester Housing Providers met and shared their experiences with Selvin and his team, including how they had experienced delivering home improvements using grant funding through the Warm Homes: Social Housing Fund (WH:SHF).

Later in the day we visited Irwell Valley Homes’ £50m project in Sale West – which includes energy efficiency upgrades to existing homes, as well as multiple phases of new-build development to provide much-needed new affordable homes.

The Sale West scheme is a prime example of how multiple different funding sources can be pulled together to deliver large-scale physical improvements across an entire community. We also heard from a local resident about their experience living in the area and how the scheme has improved the estate and her family’s wellbeing.

It is part of our work to ensure future funding programmes bring maximum benefits to communities in the North, by linking up government officials with NHC members to share what’s happening on the ground.

A big thank you to all those involved!

NHC’s Lynda Redshaw awarded MBE as part of the King’s Birthday Honours list

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Huge congratulations to our Lynda Redshaw who has been awarded an MBE as part of the King’s Birthday Honours list!

Executive Assistant Lynda has been the backbone of the NHC for 34 years, helping us grow from a team of three to a team of 40+. She is a role model and a prolific charity fundraiser who has raised over £60,000. More recently she’s been instrumental in setting up the Unlocking Success Bursary and has been a big part in its success.

Lynda turned 70 last year but continues to work beyond retirement age and has demonstrated courageous commitment to her role in the face of difficult personal circumstances.

Our Chief Executive Tracy Harrison said:

“I can’t think of anyone more deserving of this recognition than Lynda. Everyone at the NHC is absolutely over the moon for her. She is a well-loved colleague and someone who has made a tremendous contribution to the NHC and the social housing sector in the North.”

Lynda is absolutely delighted – and still in shock – about receiving the award. She is looking forward to attending the ceremony with her family.

I’m sure you’ll join us all at the NHC in offering your congratulations to Lynda!

Apply now for funded place on the GEM programme

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We’re once again partnering with the GEM programme to offer a free place on their housing leadership development programme for someone who lives in social housing and works for an NHC member organisation.  The programme offers a combination of face-to-face events, mentoring and the opportunity to achieve a CIH Level 4 qualification.

The funded place is part of our bursary scheme which supports people living in social housing with training and employment opportunities. We first partnered with the GEM programme to offer this opportunity last year, as part of our 50th anniversary celebrations.

Director of Member Engagement Kate Maughan said: “We’re delighted to be partnering with the GEM Programme again to offer this funded place. I’ve been involved in the programme as a mentor and several NHC colleagues have taken part. It’s been fantastic to see how they’ve grown and developed and the range of opportunities and experiences they’ve had as part of the programme.”

Participants in the GEM Programme have access to:

  • six housing-themed learning events called GEM Shacks, hosted in person across the U.K. and Ireland. These usually happen over two days.
  • resources to complete a CIH Level 4 qualification
  • mentor support and coaching
  • a vibrant network of upcoming housing professionals, subject experts and leaders

The prospectus for the 2026 GEM Programme is here.

To find out more about how your organisation can put forward an employee who lives in social housing, please email Ross Price at the GEM programme by 31st July . Applications will need to submitted by Friday 26 September, with the programme starting in January 2026.

Temporary Accommodation Crisis Discussed at NHC Member Event

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In June the NHC brought members together to discuss the increasing temporary accommodation crisis in the North of England. The session was organised in response to member feedback highlighting rising homelessness and greater reliance on often inadequate temporary accommodation. In bringing together the NHC’s registered provider and local authority members, the session underlined both the organisational and human impact of the issue. Offering hope, the afternoon also highlighted the new thinking and opportunities for collaboration that was helping areas across the North to reduce the use of temporary accommodation, and where it was necessary ensure stays were as safe and short as possible.

Data from the latest edition of the Northern Housing Monitor provided context for the meeting. High housing costs and a lack of genuinely affordable housing has created across the northern regions a distinct form of housing poverty.  With many northern households shut out from housing affordability and therefore housing security, this housing poverty manifested in households having to squeeze already limited spending and being particularly vulnerable welfare benefit reductions and interest rate spikes.

A lack of affordability in private tenures continues to be a key driver of homelessness and housing waiting lists have continued to expand. Unsurprisingly, the use of temporary accommodation is increasing sharply and is becoming a huge financial strain. There were 12,660 northern households in temporary accommodation by mid-2024, within these households were 14,210 children.

Attendees were clear that reductions in funding for homeless services had created substantial challenges for local authorities and partners. A lack of capacity and resource had created a process reliant on temporary accommodation. The reality for many was a well-meaning but ultimately reactive service that created new inefficiencies. With Local Authorities needing to prioritise urgent need, little resource was available for preventative measures, better management of accommodation, or move-on planning.

Despite this, the day showed the efforts NHC members were making to improve services and outcomes for households. Liverpool City Council described how they were undertaking a significant transformation programme designed to shift from a crisis driven response to a prevention focussed service. Although already underway, this work has been supported by the Government’s public service reform agenda. Here, the local authority has received support from the Government to undertake a ‘test and learn pilot’ aimed at reducing rising costs and inefficiencies in how temporary housing is provided. The pilot is proving valuable in providing capacity to get to grips with data, providing a framework to monitor and improve services week-on-week, and instilling a team effort mentality that drew in wider teams and stakeholders.

Leeds City Council were undertaking a similar process. A value placed on critical self-reflection had supported officers to ‘not stand still’ and instead look to continuously adapt to context. This had led to a reorganisation of team resource and a renewed approach to performance management. The outcome was an improved customer pathway built around face-to-face contact in neighbourhood settings, a more appropriate use of digital services, and early advice. Seeking to maximise housing options, the local authority had also invested in outreach to the Private Rented and social housing sectors. Initiatives included a Rent Guarantee Scheme, an expanded Landlord Support Team, and a responsive re-housing scheme with registered providers.

This kind of innovative approach to collaboration was also exemplified by Bury Council and Irwell Valley Housing Association. Using funding to reduce the use of B&B’s, a partnership had been created whereby previously void properties were refurbished and let to homeless families on a minimum 5yr lease. Entering on starter tenancy agreements, the option was available for the household to ultimately remain in the property. If they chose not to, the property remained ring-fenced for temporary accommodation. With collaboration between the local authority and registered provider extending to clear agreements around wraparound support, the initiative was seen as long-term solution with housing evolving from temporary to long term housing.

The session was an opportunity to hear about promising good practice but also reflect on issues which need further attention. Attendees agreed that investment was needed in supported housing to ensure those with complex needs are appropriately helped. Partnerships of the type between Irwell Valley and Bury Council were still needed to avoid registered providers facing additional mental health or community safety issues without support. Finally, without action on Local Housing Allowance rates, many households would continue to face the risk of homelessness.

Temporary Accommodation Crisis in the North was held in partnership with Campbell Tickell and Devonshires as part of the national Temporary Accommodation Network.

For further information or to discuss your own work in relation to any of the themes above, contact Liam Gregson, Senior Engagement Manager (Devolution and Place Lead) – liam.gregson@nhc.org.uk