Council Homes Acquisition Programme

On 17th November 2023, the Mayor of London launched the Council Homes Acquisition Programme (CHAP).

London is undergoing an unprecedented homelessness crisis. In 2023, one in 50 Londoners is currently homeless and living in temporary accommodation – that means at least 170,000 Londoners, and over 83,000 children, are without a secure place to call home. 

The long-term solution to this crisis must be the creation of more genuinely affordable, homes – and the Mayor is doing everything in his power to keep up pace and momentum in helping councils and housing associations to build these homes for Londoners.

Alongside supporting the construction of new homes, the Mayor is also helping councils to acquire homes to turn them into genuinely affordable homes.  

Funding made available via CHAP will enable councils, or their dedicated delivery bodies, to purchase properties and convert these homes into social rented housing or temporary accommodation for homeless households. CHAP builds on the success of the Mayor’s Right to Buy-back programme, which closed in March 2023. 

CHAP forms part of the Affordable Homes Programme (AHP) 2021-26. Bids for CHAP must align with the parameters set out in the AHP 2021-26 Funding Guidance and Capital Funding Guide (CFG) – subject to any clarifications and additional funding conditions outlined in the CHAP’s funding guidance below.  

For further information on programme requirements and how to bid read the Council Homes Acquisition Programme – Funding Guidance. 

Prospective partners should submit bids on the GLA Open Project System.
 

Funding agreements

New partners delivering homes under CHAP will need to sign an AHP 2021-26 contract.  Partners delivering under CHAP and that have already entered into an AHP 2021-26 contracts will need to sign a Deed of Variation, which incorporates reference to CHAP.