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Platform Housing Group Secures £350 Million to Deliver 2,800 Affordable Homes Across the Midlands
25 Aug 2026
Platform Housing Group has secured one of the largest allocations under the new Social and Affordable Homes Programme, supporting the delivery of 2,800 affordable homes across the Midlands.
25 August 2026 — Platform Housing Group has secured a £350 million allocation from Homes England to support the delivery of 2,800 new affordable homes across the Midlands.
The housing association is one of 33 Strategic Partners selected under the government’s new Social and Affordable Homes Programme 2026–2036 (SAHP).
The national programme is worth £39 billion and is designed to increase the supply of social and affordable housing across England.
Platform’s allocation is among the largest announced by Homes England.
2,800 Affordable Homes Planned
The funding will support Platform’s long-term development programme and give the organisation greater certainty over future projects.
The group plans to work with:
- local authorities;
- combined authorities;
- developers;
- and other housing partners.
The aim is to unlock sites and deliver affordable homes in areas where demand remains high.
Gerraint Oakley, Chief Growth and Development Officer at Platform Housing Group, said the funding gives the organisation the confidence to plan at scale.
Long term funding certainty makes an enormous difference. It allows us to plan strategically, strengthen our development pipeline and work with our partners to unlock sites and deliver the homes that communities across the Midlands urgently need.
He added that the investment will provide thousands of people with safer and more affordable housing options.
Platform Builds on Strong Delivery Record
The announcement follows a strong year for Platform’s development programme.
The group completed 1,380 new homes in 2025/26, its highest annual delivery total in more than five years.
That performance placed Platform eighth nationally for completions in Inside Housing’s Biggest Builders Survey.
The organisation has also continued building momentum in 2026/27.
During the first quarter, Platform completed 303 affordable homes and invested £102 million in new housing development.
Long-Term Funding Could Improve Housing Delivery
One of the biggest advantages of the new programme is its long-term structure.
Housing providers often face uncertainty around future funding, site viability and construction costs.
A ten-year programme gives strategic partners more time to plan land acquisition, infrastructure, construction and partnerships.
It can also help housing associations coordinate more closely with local authorities and regional leaders.
For cities and towns across the Midlands, that could mean more consistent delivery rather than short-term development cycles.
Why the Midlands Matters
The Midlands includes some of England’s fastest-changing cities and regional economies.
However, housing affordability remains a significant challenge in many areas.
Population growth, changing household needs and uneven housing supply continue to put pressure on local markets.
A programme of 2,800 new affordable homes could therefore support both housing access and wider regeneration.
New housing can also create knock-on benefits for local infrastructure, employment and community development.
Homes England Selects 33 Strategic Partners
Homes England has selected 33 Strategic Partners to support delivery outside London.
The agency says the programme is designed for organisations with the scale, track record and ambition to deliver large numbers of social and affordable homes.
Homes England Chief Executive Amy Rees said demand for the programme demonstrated strong appetite across the housing sector.
The agency plans to work with partners and regional leaders to increase delivery over the next decade.
Key Programme Deadlines
The Social and Affordable Homes Programme runs from 2026 to 2036.
Homes funded through the programme must:
- start on site by 31 March 2036;
- and complete by 31 March 2039.
These timelines give housing providers a long planning window while still setting clear delivery targets.
About Platform Housing Group
Platform Housing Group owns and manages around 51,000 homes across the Midlands.
Its portfolio includes:
- social rent;
- affordable rent;
- shared ownership homes.
The group holds G1 governance and V1 financial viability ratings from the Regulator of Social Housing.
It also holds A+/A+ credit ratings from Standard & Poor’s and Fitch.
Source
- Homes England — Strategic Partners for the Social and Affordable Homes Programme 2026–2036
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/homes-england-and-government-confirm-strategic-partners-set-to-help-deliver-once-in-a-generation-increase-in-social-and-affordable-homes-across-englan
