Reflections one week on: the Spending Review

"7,819 children and 4,406 households in Greater Manchester know what it means to wait for social housing, and they know the cost of that wait.

Homelessness and temporary accommodation harm health, well-being and life chances for people, and suppress their ability to thrive as individuals and as part of society.

£39 billion into affordable homes programmes gives certainty for people at the sharp end of an entirely avoidable housing crisis, and should be celebrated.

The overall package of investment in housing through Homes England must enable delivery of genuinely affordable housing for all. Invest here, save costs for everyone down the line."

- Dr Fran Darlington-Pollock, CEO

Last week’s spending review announced a £39 billion investment into the Affordable Homes programme over the next decade, a significant increase on the approximately £11.8 billion allocated by the previous government. The extension of the Housing Revenue Account borrowing rate discount until March 2026 will also give councils greater financial flexibility to invest in new social housing. 

Additionally, a new rent policy set to take effect in 2026 will allow social landlords to raise rents annually by CPI plus 1%, a move intended to boost investment in existing stock. There will of course be consequences to unpack, like a possible increase of costs for tenants not covered by housing benefits. 

A rise in social housing helps reduce the use of temporary accommodation and tackles the need for rough sleeping - both of which have increased drastically in recent years. This investment is timely, but it’s not all.  The government is also addressing the root causes of homelessness, allocating £100 million, including funds from the Transformation Fund, to support early interventions such as landlord mediation, eviction prevention, and securing long term housing for those at risk. 

In Greater Manchester, the pending launch of the Good Landlord Charter signals the importance of interventions in housing to support and protect households at risk. Housing must not  only be genuinely affordable for all, it must also be of sufficient quality, secure and accessible.  

Looking further ahead, the government is committing £950 million in capital investment between 2026-27 and 2029-30 for the fourth round of the Local Authority Housing Fund. This funding will help local authorities across England expand the supply of good quality temporary accommodation, aiming to reduce reliance on expensive and often unsuitable options like bed and breakfasts and hotels. 

So what does this mean for those still without a home in Greater Manchester?  

The long lead times required to build new homes and allocate funding mean that many of these commitments will take years to make a noticeable impact. However, if delivered effectively, this investment could mark a turning point, unlocking stalled housing projects and building much needed homes tailored to local needs. 

Our ongoing conversations with leaders in construction across the housing development pipeline have demonstrated a strong consensus for change, and a desire to secure housing for all in Greater Manchester. The collaborations and consensus building in those spaces must now be leveraged alongside wider commitment in the region to make best use of the funds available.  

Meanwhile for those families facing eviction, people experiencing street homelessness and rough sleeping, or children growing up in cramped, unsuitable temporary accommodation, it's vital that early intervention funding reaches the frontline quickly and is used to prevent homelessness before it begins. This spending review provides the resources to make a real change, but it’s true test will lie in how quickly help is given to the people who need it most. 

As the details of the review breakdown, and organisations at the coalface of the housing and homelessness crises plan next steps, we will continue our support. Help us be a lifeline to those on the frontline. Your donations can transform lives and help pave the way for a brighter future for the people of Greater Manchester.