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How will the sector navigate the challenges of 2026?
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1.
The government has set an ambition to deliver 1.5m new homes in England within the current parliament. Is it likely to achieve this?
(Required.)
Yes
No
Donโt know
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2.
Do you think the target for the 10-year ยฃ39bn Social and Affordable Homes Programme (SAHP) to deliver 300,000 social and affordable homes is achievable?
(Required.)
Yes โ Weโll see 300,000 or more delivered
No โ Weโll see 200,000 to 299,999 delivered
No โ Weโll see 100,000 to 199,999 delivered
No โ Weโll see fewer than 100,000 delivered
Not sure
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3.
The programme is setting out to deliver at least 180,000 of these homes (60 per cent) at social rents. Do you think this is achievable?
(Required.)
Yes
No
Please explain your answer
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4.
What is likely to be your organisation’s main areas of focus when applying for SAHP funding? (select up to three)
(Required.)
Social rent
Affordable rent
Intermediate rent, including Key Worker Living Rent
London Living Rent
Specialist and supported housing for rent
Rent to buy
Shared ownership
Older personsโ shared ownership
Home ownership for people with long-term disabilities (HOLD)
Other
Please specify (optional)
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5.
Over the past 12 months, have you prioritised investment in new home delivery or upgrading existing stock?
(Required.)
New home delivery
Upgrading existing stock
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6.
Over the past 12 months, have you reduced, maintained or increased your development programme for new homes delivery?
(Required.)
Reduced
Maintained
Increased
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7.
Are you expecting to buy more affordable homes through โSection 106โ agreements in the next 12 months, than the previous 12 months?
(Required.)
More
Less
The same
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8.
What would make you buy more ‘Section 106’ properties?
(Required.)
Better quality stock
Suitability of stock
More stock
Lower cost
A mortgagee exclusion clause that is acceptable to funders and not deemed restrictive
Earlier engagement with developers
Other
Please specify (optional)
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9.
Are you on track to meet the new Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards (MEES) requirements by 2030?
(Required.)
Yes
No
Not sure
Please explain your answer
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10.
The government has announced the reintroduction of rent convergence of £1 a week from April 2027, rising to £2 a week from April 2028. How will this impact your business plans over the next five years? (select up to three)
(Required.)
Increase development capacity
Increase upgrades to existing stock
Improve long-term financial projections
Support further borrowing to fund activities
Other
Please comment (optional)
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11.
How will new health and safety legislation (such as the Renters’ Rights Act, Decent Homes Standard and Awaab’s Law) impact your spending decisions over the next 12 months? (select up to three)
(Required.)
Increase spending on construction
Reduce spending on new construction and development
Increase spending on upgrading existing stock
Increase spending on smart technology to monitor conditions (eg damp sensors)
Increase investment in compliance-related inspections
Other
Please comment (optional)
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12.
The reformed Decent Homes Standard will apply to all social rent homes from 2035. What is the biggest challenge for your organisation regarding implementation?
(Required.)
Lack of comprehensive asset data
Financial burden
Lack of skills / workforce
Lack of clarity around the standards
Tenant expectations
Access to properties
Other
Please comment (optional)
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13.
In the next financial year (6 April 2026 - 5 April 2027) where do you expect to source your funding from? (please provide percentages, ensuring your answers add up to 100%. There is no need to include the % sign. For any sources of funding that you do not expect to use, please put 0 in the box)
(Required.)
Government and public grants
Government-backed debt eg guaranteed / low-interest loans
Traditional debt finance via banks
Debt capital markets
Specialist or alternative lending
Private equity
Other
14.
If you selected 'Other' in Q13, please specify.
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15.
Over the next 12 months, do you plan to subsidise the development of affordable housing with other non-social ventures such as market sale or private rented homes?
(Required.)
Yes
No
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16.
Are you planning any mergers or acquisitions with other housing providers over the next 12 months?
(Required.)
Yes
No
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17.
What are the current top three biggest challenges to housing delivery? (select up to three)
(Required.)
Limited labour/resource in supply chain/construction
The drive for new homes to meet sustainability standards and new EPC rules
Spending money on existing homes
Cost of borrowing
Internal financial constraints, including interest cover
Limited in-house skill
Viability and planning challenges
Deferred introduction of rent convergence
New legislation (such as the Rentersโ Rights Act, Awaabโs Law)
Lack of clear strategy from government
Lack of clear strategy from my own organisation
Other
Please specify (optional)
18.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
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