Key Points
- Leeds City Council has approved the Leeds Affordable Housing Strategy (LAHS) 2026-2036, targeting up to 1,500 affordable homes per year by 2036.
- The strategy builds on the previous Housing Growth Action Plan (2022-2025), which delivered nearly 1,900 affordable homes, many for social rent.
- Approval occurred at the council’s executive board meeting on 11 March 2026.
- Key actions include maximising council resources like Right to Buy receipts via the Council Housing Growth Programme (CHGP), leveraging national funding such as the £39 billion Social and Affordable Homes Programme, embedding flexible policies in the Leeds Local Plan, supporting registered providers with grants and land, and ensuring city centre developments include affordable housing.
- Past achievements (2022-2025): 25% of homes built/acquired by council, 40% by registered providers/third sector, 35% via planning agreements with private developers.
- Highlighted schemes: Throstle Rec (176 homes including Gascoigne House extra care), Leonora House (£12m, 58 social rent flats by 54North Homes), Colliers Park (£2.8m grant for Leeds Federated Housing Association), Points Cross (Guinness Partnership), Saxton Heights (Vico Homes), Dyecoats (Latimer/Clarion).
- Councillor Mary Harland emphasised using every tool for quality homes and transforming lives.
- Rachael Dennis of West Yorkshire Housing Partnership praised partnership approach for scaling delivery.
Leeds (The Leeds Times) March 17, 2026 – Leeds City Council has unveiled an ambitious 10-year strategy to deliver 1,500 affordable homes annually by 2036, building on recent successes in tackling the city’s housing crisis through partnerships and innovative funding. The Leeds Affordable Housing Strategy (LAHS) 2026-2036 was approved on 11 March 2026 at the executive board meeting, aiming to position Leeds at the forefront of national housebuilding efforts. This plan addresses pressing needs amid rising demand, with nearly 1,900 affordable homes already delivered between 2022 and 2025 under the prior Housing Growth Action Plan.
- Key Points
- What Is the Leeds Affordable Housing Strategy?
- Why Was the Previous Plan Successful?
- Which Key Projects Were Delivered Recently?
- How Will the Council Achieve 1,500 Homes Annually?
- What Do Council Leaders Say?
- What Do Partners Think?
- When and How Was the Strategy Approved?
- What Challenges Does It Face?
- How Does This Fit National Efforts?
What Is the Leeds Affordable Housing Strategy?
The LAHS 2026-2036 sets a bold target of up to 1,500 affordable homes per year by the decade’s end, delivered via the council and partners.
As reported by Inside Housing on 17 March 2026, the strategy combines innovative design, collaborative working, and investment leveraging to transform housing delivery scale and pace. Show House detailed on 11 March 2026 that it builds on the 2022-2025 period’s achievements, where nearly 1,900 homes were provided, many for social rent.
Public Sector Executive noted the approval on 11 March 2026, describing it as a new chapter following the council’s successful record. The plan acknowledges challenges but outlines clear actions to realise the ambition, ensuring Leeds contributes to the national goal of 1.5 million new homes.
Why Was the Previous Plan Successful?
Between 2022 and 2025, Leeds delivered nearly 1,900 affordable homes, a major achievement of the Housing Growth Action Plan. Of these, 25% were built or acquired directly by the council, 40% via registered providers and third-sector partners, and 35% secured through planning agreements with private developers. This blend of delivery routes will remain crucial for 2026-2036.
As covered by Show House, the results were impressive despite viability challenges for affordable schemes. Public Sector Executive highlighted how this momentum positions Leeds for further growth.
Which Key Projects Were Delivered Recently?
Several schemes underscore past progress. Throstle Rec in Middleton provided 176 affordable homes, including the 60-apartment Gascoigne House extra care facility, via the CHGP.
Leonora House on Railway Street, a £12 million project by 54North Homes, delivered 58 flats for social rent, funded by the council, West Yorkshire Combined Authority (WYCA), and Homes England, with the council selling the site.
Colliers Park in Oulton saw Leeds Federated Housing Association replace 1940s prefab homes with modern, energy-efficient ones, backed by £2.8 million council grant.
Other major efforts include Points Cross by The Guinness Partnership, Saxton Heights by Vico Homes, and Dyecoats by Latimer/Clarion Housing Group, collectively delivering hundreds of homes. These were detailed across Show House and Public Sector Executive reports.
How Will the Council Achieve 1,500 Homes Annually?
The strategy details five core actions. First, maximising council resources, including Right to Buy receipts for the CHGP to build or acquire homes.
Second, leveraging national funding like the government’s £39 billion Social and Affordable Homes Programme to accelerate construction.
Third, embedding flexible policies in the updated Leeds Local Plan to unlock land and streamline planning.
Fourth, supporting registered providers with grants and ringfenced land to scale programmes.
Fifth, partnering for city centre mixed-use neighbourhoods with substantial affordable housing. Public Sector Executive outlined these on 11 March 2026.
What Do Council Leaders Say?
As reported by Show House, Councillor Mary Harland, Executive Member for Housing at Leeds City Council, stated: “Meeting the housing needs of people in Leeds is at the heart of the council’s mission to tackle inequality, build thriving communities and provide opportunities that work for everyone.”
She added:
“We are determined, therefore, to use every tool at our disposal to deliver – either directly or through partnership working – good-quality affordable homes across the city.”
Councillor Harland continued:
“The results achieved in recent years have been really impressive – particularly given the viability challenges that affordable schemes can face – but we are fully aware that there is still much to do.”
She concluded:
“The vision set out in the Leeds Affordable Housing Strategy shows how the council, in collaboration with partners, can continue to move forward over the next decade and deliver even more of the kind of homes that will have a transformational impact on people’s lives.”
What Do Partners Think?
As reported by Show House, Rachael Dennis, chair of the West Yorkshire Housing Partnership, said:
“This new Leeds Affordable Housing Strategy gives us a clear and ambitious route for delivering more affordable homes across Leeds. It also shows that the city is open for business and committed to meeting housing need at scale.”
She noted:
“The council’s approach to partnership working is central to this. By working closely with housing associations and developers, Leeds is unlocking sites, removing barriers and bringing forward high-quality, energy efficient and affordable homes that give families the stability and security they need.”
Dennis affirmed:
“It’s also why we see Leeds as a place where we can scale up delivery. The ambition set out in the strategy provides the certainty and confidence our members need to invest in the city and accelerate the delivery of affordable homes over the next decade.”
When and How Was the Strategy Approved?
The strategy received approval at the council’s executive board meeting on Wednesday, 11 March 2026. Inside Housing reported on this development on 17 March 2026, emphasising the annual target.
Public Sector Executive described it as a landmark moment, collaboratively shaped with partners like WYCA, Homes England, housing associations, developers, and the West Yorkshire Housing Partnership.
What Challenges Does It Face?
The LAHS recognises the ambition’s challenges, including viability issues for affordable schemes amid economic pressures. Despite this, it details actions for reality, with productive relationships essential for growth.
National context includes a 16% drop in social housing starts last quarter, as noted in related Inside Housing analysis, underscoring Leeds’s proactive stance.
How Does This Fit National Efforts?
Leeds aims to lead in the national push for 1.5 million homes, capitalising on programmes like the £39 billion fund. The strategy signals intent to grow faster through deeper collaboration, placing affordable homes at the city’s heart.
Reports from Housing Digital and others affirm Leeds’s commitment.
This comprehensive strategy positions Leeds to meet housing needs, fostering thriving communities over the next decade.
