Homes England has reported an increase in the annual number of new home completions and starts on site.
Between 1 April 2025 and 31 March 2026, the government’s housing agency recorded 42,433 new houses started on site and 40,433 new homes completed, increases of 11% and 9% respectively compared to the same period the previous year.
32,243 of the housing completions for this period were for affordable homes, which represents 80% of all completions and a 14% increase year-on-year.
Of the affordable homes completed in this period:
- 9,381 were for social rent, an increase of 65%.
- 13,388 were for Intermediate Affordable Housing Schemes, an increase of 13%
- 9,460 were for affordable rent, a decrease of 12% on the same period last year
33,171 of new starts on site were for affordable houses, a 12% increase on the previous year and representing 78% of all starts.
Of the affordable homes started in this period:
- 4,280 were for social rent, a decrease of 24% on the previous year
- 1,696 were for intermediate affordable housing schemes, including shared ownership and rent to buy – a decrease of 34% on the previous year
- 1,427 were for affordable rent, a decrease of 44%.
- 82% were delivered by the Affordable Homes Programme (AHP) 2021-26.
- 13% were delivered by the Social and Affordable Homes Programme (SAHP) – Bridge Funding
- 2% were delivered by the Home Building Fund (HBF)2.
- 2% were delivered by the Single Land Programme (SLP).
Homes England also announced the results of the Shared Ownership and Affordable Homes Programme (SOAHP) 2016-21, which closed at the end of 2025/26. The programme delivered 134,331 affordable over its lifetime.
Homes England had a target for the programme of 130,000 starts, excluding nil-grant units delivered above a 10% cap. Excluding these, a total of 132,540 eligible completions were recorded, including Right to Buy replacement homes and AHP 2015-18 grant-funded units started from 2016-17 onwards.
Amy Rees CB, chief executive of Homes England, said: “Today’s figures are a marker of progress – more homes started, more homes completed, and a significant 65% increase in social rent completions. This reflects the Agency’s continued focus, alongside our partners, on delivering the tenures that matter most to those in need.”
“With the government’s landmark £39billion Social and Affordable Homes Programme now underway, and the National Housing Bank operational, we have strong, long-term foundations to build momentum at scale.”
“There is more to do, and we are clear about the challenges ahead. But I am proud of what the team has achieved this year and confident in our ability to continue delivering the homes that communities across England need.”
