Construction News

16 September 2026

Related Information

Aster targets £1bn home improvement programme

53 minutes Housing association Aster Group has reported a record investment in upgrading and maintaining its existing estare of 38,000 homes, spending £124.8m in its 2025/26 year, with plans for £1bn in improvement spending over the next seven years.

The group delivered 978 homes over the course of year to 31 March 2026, with a turnover of £337.6m and a pre-tax surplus of £45.4m. It was awarded £240m of government funding, to support 1,320 new homes.

Improvements to the existing estate included replacing more than a thousand windows and upgrading over 1,300 boilers, helping customers benefit from more energy efficient homes. The investments, coupled with Aster’s commitment to only building new homes at EPC B or above, means that almost 84% of its homes are now rated EPC C or higher.

Bjorn Howard, group CEO, said: “Making sure our customers have quality homes they can be proud of, requires sustained, long-term investment. We’ve been able to inject more resources than ever into being there for our customers, while maintaining a consistent development programme, is testament to our financial strength and the amazing work done by our people.

Related Information

“This strong financial performance has also provided the foundation for us to retain our G1 and V2 ratings for governance and financial viability and achieve a C1 consumer rating, reflecting our continued focus on delivering high-quality services and homes for our customers.

“Even in economically difficult times, our commitment and resilience to shape services and homes around the needs of our customers and that will support generations to come, is at the heart of every decision we make. Whether they’re living in one of our homes today or will become an Aster customer in the future. The investment we’re outlining demonstrates just that—it’s a promise to deliver for them and to have a positive impact on our communities.”

In the same year, the group, which was recently selected as a Homes England Strategic Partner for the government’s Social and Affordable Homes Programme (SAHP), delivered 978 new homes including 105 for social rent, 365 for affordable rent, 32 London affordable rent and a further 412 shared ownership homes. Its future pipeline was also bolstered in recent weeks by securing a £240 million grant allocation through the SAHP that will support the delivery of 1,320 homes across the south of England.

Got a story? Email news@theconstructionindex.co.uk

MPU
MPU

Click here to view latest construction news »