The story of our strategy
The Decent Affordable Homes strategy began in 2013 and we remain deeply committed to it today. The aim has always been to increase the availability of decent, affordable homes for people in housing need.
The strategy is split into different delivery phases; and using the lessons we’ve learnt along the way, the strategy has matured and evolved.
Phase One (2013-16)
In phase one we ran three programmes, which developed our early knowledge of how to deliver change to UK housing. Our three programmes were:
- Bringing Empty Properties into Use
- Improving the Private Rented Sector
- Alternative Housing Models
Notable among the learning from phase one was an appreciation of the contribution and potential of community-led housing; an awareness of the depth of complexity and problems facing tenants in the private rented sector; and an appetite to test and learn new solutions.
Phase Two (2016-22)
Using the insight from phase one, in 2016 we decided that phase two should be a deliberate shift towards influencing changes to the housing system to tackle the the dire lack of decent, affordable homes.
With systemic change front of mind, our funding and our actions were all undertaken with a belief that each could be a small but important step towards a potentially larger contribution to changing the housing system.
During this phase, we developed three programmes which evolved from their predecessors in phase one. The success and relevance of these programmes mean they have remained in place in phase three:
- Nurturing Ideas to Change the Housing System
- Backing Community-Led Housing
- Transforming the Private Rented Sector
Phase Three (2022-2024)
Phase three of our strategy began in 2022, retaining the same three programmes from phase two, as their outcomes remained highly relevant and impactful. During phase three, we continued to generate evidence and leverage it to drive meaningful change.
Additionally, phase three introduced a strategic stream of work aimed at deepening our understanding of the housing system through the development of a systems map. The map has been used to identify opportuntiies for sector-wide change, as well as determining which stakeholders are best placed to achieve success.
Beyond Phase Three
The year ahead (2025/26) will be a transitional year between phase three and phase four of our strategy.
Development work for phase four has commenced and key themes and principles are emerging, which build on our work to date and include some established areas of knowledge and expertise. Our strategy development process will include consulting with stakeholders, including many of our funded partners.
We anticipate launching phase four of the Decent Affordable Homes strategy in early summer 2026. Until then, any new funding arrangements we make will be to both deepen our impact in some areas of our current strategy and explore some of the emerging themes for the next stage of our strategy. This funding will be by invitation only.
What we're doing now