HSPG's landmark investment
In June 2022, we completed our largest single investment to date, delivering 592 units of low-level Supported Housing. This landmark acquisition will support 18 local authorities in providing this vital accommodation with an investment in excess of £70 million.
This completion follows news that house prices continued to rise for the eleventh month in a row this May, despite suggestions the market is beginning to slow. With the average cost of a home now reaching a new record high of £289,099, the most vulnerable members of our society could be left without access to a home.1 With an average weekly rent of just £126, this housing will provide an affordable and sustainable solution for Local Authorities to house the most vulnerable members of their communities.
At the same time, with the Bank of England warning that inflation could exceed 10% this October, households across the UK are facing a cost-of-living crisis.2 In fact, roughly 3 in 10 people are worried they may end up homeless over the next five years due to rising costs.3As a result, the improved provision of Supported Housing has never been more urgent. In this sense, our delivery of these units of affordable low-level Supported Housing is a significant step in our wider goal to alleviate the UK’s homelessness crisis.
Equally, with all 592 properties to be delivered with a minimum EPC score of C within the next 12 months, this transaction forms part of HSPG’s commitment to delivering Supported Housing which is sustainable. Considering the UK’s built environment is responsible for 25% of the UK’s total greenhouse gas emissions, the provision of this sustainable housing is vital.4
The completion of this landmark transaction, delivered in partnership with Manchester-based specialist lender Together, JMW Solicitors, Excellion Capital, Abacus and Kingsley Napley, follows recent news that we have opened a third office in Leeds after staff numbers have doubled in size over the last two years. With us targeting further expansion in the year ahead, this forms part of our plans for further growth as it continues to strive to tackle the UK’s homelessness crisis.
Guy Horne, CEO and co-founder at HSPG, commented: “We are delighted to announce the completion of this transaction which represents our largest single investment to date. With households currently facing significant financial instability at the very same moment as house prices continue to rise, the need for affordable Supported Housing has never been more pressing. This acquisition will go a long way towards achieving our ultimate goal of helping to solve the UK’s homelessness crisis and ensuring the most vulnerable members of our society have access to a high-quality home”
Thomas Pearson, Partner at JMW Solicitors, commented: “At JMW Solicitors we are committed to giving back to our local community. With some of the most vulnerable members of our society currently facing significant financial difficulties, we are very proud to have partnered with HSPG on the delivery of this much needed Supported Housing. Homelessness is a rising issue in the country and this Supported Housing will be an essential step in helping to alleviate the crisis.”
Alex Bodie, Head of Fundraising for Social Housing at Together, commented: “As a business with an established reputation in the property sector, we’re absolutely committed to accelerating the delivery of inclusive communities and affordable homes, and we’re delighted to have partnered HSPG on the delivery of this significant deal.
“Our focus has always been on building trusted, long-standing relationships with our clients and finding new ways of providing the finance that is vitally important to them achieving their ambitions. It means we can be by their side today, and support their affordable housing commitments in the future.”
Ashley Marks, Head of Real Estate at Excellion Capital, commented: “As house prices continue to rise and households face unprecedented financial challenges, the Excellion Capital team is very pleased to have assisted HSPG in making this vital provision of housing financially viable. Given our focus on real estate finance, we were delighted to partner with HSPG on the delivery of this Supported Housing.”
