Legal & General secures pipeline of 5,500 new affordable homes

As it looks to tackle the major health and wellbeing implications of poor housing, highlighted by the pandemic, Legal & General Affordable Homes has also increased its team from 5 to 75 employees, with a plan to hire another 20 by the end of the year.

According to research, 7.6 million people in England had at least one major housing problem relating to overcrowding, affordability or poor quality housing going into COVID-19. Compounded by the pandemic, one in three low-income earners have had to borrow money to pay their rent and the steep decline in social housing has led to huge increases in government welfare costs, as well as rising homelessness. 1.4 million households remain on waiting list for affordable homes in the UK.

As it continues to establish itself as UK’s leading Institutional Registered Provider, Legal & General has accelerated the delivery of its pipeline to target the areas which need it most. With affordable housing starts falling 66% in London during the pandemic, Legal & General Affordable Homes has secured 1,000 new homes in the capital; most recently contracting on 174 affordable homes in Hammersmith and Fulham. 50% of these will be targeted to lower income households, in line with the Council priority income groups. The affordable housing is part of a 1,800 home scheme, redeveloping the former M&S distribution centre, which is due to hand over in mid 2022. Other schemes in London include 76 homes in Hounslow, completing in August 2021; 213 affordable rented homes in Wembley; 90 affordable rented homes in Lambeth and 127 affordable rented and shared ownership homes in Tower Hamlets.

Across the rest of the country, Legal & General is bringing forward over 2,200 homes in the South East, 900 homes in the South West and 1,400 homes in the Midlands and the North. Most recently, this week, Legal & General Affordable Homes handed over its first scheme in Doncaster to residents, as part of Doncaster Council’s 5 years housing delivery programme.

Legal & General remains committed to leading the evolution of the affordable housing sector, raising service standards and deploying long-term institutional capital to increase provision. Across its growing portfolio, it is delivering a mix of social and affordable rental homes, grant-supported shared ownership homes and Section 106 schemes; with many of the schemes being delivered with great quality local housebuilders alongside partnerships with contractors and best-in-class housing associations.