If you saw our recent blog on the new social and affordable housing programme, you might be wondering what it means for builders in the North West. Well, read on as we discuss what SAHP 2026 – 2036 means for those across the North West and how we can prepare for the next 10 years of opportunity.
With the national guidance for the SAHP being published at the end of 2025, and bidding expected to open in February 2026, housing providers, construction partners, and builders across the North West are preparing to get established within the framework that will set the tone for what affordable housing delivery should look like for the next decade.
For us at HJK Construction, we see this as a pivotal moment for our region, as the programme not only aligns very closely with our focus on quality, social value and sustainable delivery, but also presents new expectations that developers and construction workers must prepare for if they want to secure funding and build large projects.
A Programme Built Around Social Rent and Community Need
One of the most significant changes in SAHP is its clear funding priorities, where at least 60% of homes built and delivered must be for social rents. This recognises the ongoing national and regional shortages for affordable rental homes.
Other priority areas include:
- Supported housing, including homes for older residents, people with disabilities and those with complex needs
- Rural and community-led housing, reflecting the need for small-scale, locally driven solutions
- Brownfield development, particularly aligned with regeneration strategies across the North’s urban centres
- Mixed-tenure schemes, where appropriate, but always with a clear emphasis on affordability and long-term community value
For the North West, these priorities really match local demand, as currently we are suffering rising waiting lists, ageing housing stock and dense regeneration zones. Housing Associations across the region are already signalling strong interest in SAHP, but construction and delivery partners will need to demonstrate capability and clarity if they want to make sure funding is secured early on during the bidding rounds.
What This Means for Builders and Housing Providers in the North West
SAHP brings with it many opportunities, but of course, it also brings increased scrutiny as the funders providing the money want certainty. Certainty that the homes will be built with high-quality standards, and that value for money will be achieved across the project.
For construction firms like HJK, several implications are clear:
1. A shift toward long-term, relationship-based delivery
Housing associations won’t be looking simply for cost-effective builders; they’ll be seeking delivery partners who understand compliance, decarbonisation targets and the social purpose of their schemes.
2. More complex development pipelines
Supported housing, brownfield regeneration and community-led schemes all bring additional design challenges. Builders must demonstrate experience and competence across varied project types, not just standard affordable housing.
3. Increased emphasis on sustainability and whole-life value
SAHP recognises that new homes must be built to last. That means energy performance, fabric-first design, durable materials and future-proof compliance are non-negotiable.
4. The need for early collaboration
Local authorities and registered providers (RPs) across the North West are already shaping their bids. Construction partners must be involved now, during pre-bid design and feasibility, not once funding is allocated.
Those who prepare early will be well-positioned; others may struggle to demonstrate readiness once bidding opens.
Are North West Providers Ready to Bid?
Across the North West, specifically in Greater Manchester, Liverpool city region and Cheshire, preparations for SAHP are already underway. Many RPs have identified pipeline sites, particularly on brownfield land unlocked through local regeneration frameworks.
But of course, readiness varies.
- Larger providers appear well-prepared, with design teams reviewing SAHP space standards, energy requirements and viability criteria
- Smaller community-led or rural schemes may need additional support in understanding compliance, supply chain capacity and technical design
- Local authorities, some of which are returning to direct delivery, are assessing whether their internal teams and partnerships can meet the expectations of the new funding model
The real key message here is that the clock is ticking, and those who step in early, offering guidance and technical support, will offer the most value.
How Developers Can Make Their 2026 SAHP Bid Stand Out
Competition is obviously expected to be high in the open bidding window, and North West developers need to focus on excellent compliance and clarity.
Here is where we see the strongest opportunities:
1. Embed Design Standards From the Start
- SAHP reinforces the requirement to deliver:
- National space standards
- Quality and durability expectations
- Accessibility (M4(2) and M4(3)
- High-performing building fabric
Building these into the early design stage strengthens bids and reduces later risk.
2. Focus on Energy Efficiency and Carbon Performance
Use SAHP’s emphasis on sustainability to your advantage. Demonstrate:
- A fabric-first approach
- Potential integration of renewables
- Long-term maintenance savings through thoughtful material choices
- Whole-life carbon considerations
Energy-efficient homes score strongly with evaluators and align neatly with the North West’s climate and housing strategies.
3. Evidence a Strong Delivery Model
Funders want confidence. A standout bid will clearly explain:
- How risks will be managed
- How supply chain resilience is guaranteed
- How construction timelines will be met
- How cost control will be maintained
Contractors who can demonstrate a track record of reliable delivery in the region will have a competitive edge.
4. Build in Social Value
This includes apprenticeships, local labour, community engagement, and work with local suppliers, all of which carry significant weight under SAHP.
5. Align with Local Priorities
Understanding local housing strategies across Greater Manchester, Merseyside and Lancashire helps shape bids that respond directly to regional need, from family-sized social rent homes to specialist supported accommodation.
A Decade of Opportunity — If the Region Prepares Now
The SAHP 2026 to 2036 programme really does represent the most significant affordable housing investment cycles in recent years. For the North West, it offers a chance to shape the future of communities, but for this, we need to be ready, informed and proactive.
Now is the time to act, with bidding opening in a few months’ time, and to make sure that organisations succeed, there must be a demonstration of leadership and commitment to delivering high-quality, sustainable, and socially valuable homes for years to come.