Housing consortium launches £500m social housebuilding framework

A North West consortium has launched a social housebuilding framework worth nearly £500m.

Made up of housing associations and local authorities, JV North’s latest procurement framework will run for four years from 2025 to 2029.

Successful contractors and consultants will be able to secure contracts from the consortium’s 15 members as they build more than 3,000 homes.

The announcement follows confirmation in the Autumn Budget of a £500m top-up to the Affordable Homes Programme with more to come in spring’s Spending Review.

Construction companies of all sizes are being encouraged to apply to the framework with lots ranging upwards to £4m, £4m to £12m and £12m and over.

JV North anticipates around 10 contractors will be appointed per lot but will be flexible to ensure there is enough capacity to deliver the homes members are building.

Consultant lots are open for architectural services, employers agents, purchaser agents, engineers, clerks of works and principal designers.

And for the first time, principal designers for Building Regulations are being sought, too.

Saffer Cooper Consultancy is managing the procurement of the framework on behalf of JV North and also runs its development programme.

Director, Sean Stafford, said: “The new government’s long term vision to address the housing crisis is shared by JV North and this joint ambition to build more homes can be seen in the launch of the new framework.

“This is JV North’s fourth and all have been a big success with contractors and consultants playing a vital role in helping the consortium hand over more than 10,000 homes to date.

“So we encourage companies – from SMEs to PLCs – to apply to either further existing relationships from previous frameworks or for new businesses to join us in our quest to build more.”

JV North Chair, John Bowker, said: “The founding principle of JV North is partnerships in the form of members working collaboratively and also businesses appointed to our frameworks.

“Contractors and consultants are crucial in helping us build the homes the country’s population craves with the core focus being on quality of delivery so we create neighbourhoods we are really proud of.”

JV North’s framework timetable starts on December 4, with a virtual engagement session for contractors followed a day later on December 5, with one for consultants.

An Invitation To Tender for contractors will go live on the Delta eSourcing portal on January 13, 2025, with a separate ITT for consultants available from January 20.

The closing date for submissions is March 3, with successful bidders announced May 19, before the framework starts on August 2.