UK households are projected to increase by 252,000 each year between now and 2031, yet housing stock is growing at only 214,000 a year. In addition, the number of households waiting for social housing is now 1.8 million, resulting in a strong need for more social and affordable housing.

SMBC group has extensive experience as a funder of social housing schemes and has acted as lead arranger on the first project to close using the standard form Housing Procurement Pack Project Agreement. The bank has also developed successful long-term relationships with a number of leading housing PFI sponsors, including housing associations and corporates.

SMBCE acted as mandated lead arranger on Sandwell Social Housing PFI, Lewisham Brockley Social Housing PFI and Hertfordshire Children’s Homes, and is supporting consortiums on a range of housing PFI projects at various stages of procurement. With this strong position in the PFI social housing sector, SMBC group is completely familiar with the PFI risk allocation and contractual structure, and can offer its clients an educated and efficient source of funding.