The ICSH presents its Pre-Budget Submission for the 2027 estimates at a time of transition in light of the 2025 Report of the Approved Housing Body Strategic Forum, a 10-year roadmap for the AHB sector. Our AHB members are preparing for the reforms outlined in the eight key recommendations of the report. However, this change programme must be co-designed and led with enabling reforms that build confidence and momentum within the AHB sector. The ICSH’s proposals for Budget 2027 reflect this policy framework and the sector’s views on how they can be progressed in partnership with approved housing bodies in a way that meaningfully strengthens the AHB sector.
The purpose of the submission is to propose recommendations for the annual budget estimates in 2027 that will enable the delivery of over 6,500 social and affordable homes. The ICSH anticipates this will comprise 5,000 AHB social rented homes including general needs housing and supported housing for target groups such as older people, people with disabilities and people experiencing homelessness. These recommendations will also enable the delivery of over 1,500 cost rental homes and supports to deliver enhanced retrofitting of older, less energy efficient AHB homes.
Those key recommendations relate to:
- Housing delivery
- Continued capital funding reforms
- Income gap and rent model review
- Addressing homelessness
- Regulation, governance and capacity building support for delivery
- Retrofit and energy costs
