Grant News

Homes England, in partnership with the specialist real estate investor and lender, Octopus Real Estate, has launched Phase 2 of the Greener Homes Alliance.  This is a £150 million loan fund to support small and medium-sized (SME) housebuilders in England. This initiative aims to promote the construction of high-quality, energy-efficient homes by providing loan finance, with £42 million contributed by Homes England's Home Building Fund. ​

Building upon the success of the first phase, which funded over 550 sustainable homes, Phase 2 introduces ten new criteria to encourage greener building practices. Developers meeting at least four of these criteria are eligible for a 1.25% interest rate discount, while those meeting six or more can receive a 2% discount. Key criteria include the use of modern methods of construction (MMC), ensuring all homes are fossil fuel-free, achieving an average Standard Assessment Procedure (SAP) score of 85 or above, and paying workers on-site the real living wage. ​

To qualify for funding, all schemes must meet specific key performance indicators, such as delivering fossil fuel-free homes with an average SAP score of at least 85. The alliance also encourages borrowers to support the Lighthouse Charity, a leader in mental health within the construction industry. ​

SME housebuilders interested in applying can find more information and submit applications through Octopus Real Estate's official channels. The initiative is currently open for applications, with no specified closing date announced. ​