Alpha Housing secures £20m funding to deliver 240 new social homes across Northern Ireland
Alpha Housing has agreed a £20million sustainability-linked loan from Danske Bank to help deliver 240 new social homes across Northern Ireland over the next five years.
The funding will allow Alpha Housing to accelerate its development programme, increasing its housing stock by around 25 per cent. The new homes will include a mix of general needs housing and homes for people over 55, delivered through a range of apartments and bungalows.
As part of the agreement, Alpha Housing and Danske Bank have set clear Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) targets, linking the cost of funding directly to how the housing association performs against sustainability measures.
These include a commitment to deliver four biodiversity initiatives each year, such as hedge planting and building wildlife ponds, across both new and existing housing schemes. This marks the first time Danske Bank has included specific biodiversity targets in a social housing funding package.
Alpha Housing already has a strong track record in supporting nature, with existing schemes featuring ‘no-mow’ areas, wildlife ponds, wildflower meadows and swift boxes designed to support wildlife and create beautiful places for tenants.
The loan also supports improvements in energy efficiency, with Alpha Housing aiming to increase ratings across 50 homes per year. This will include installing solar panels on a selection of new properties.
Cameron Watt, Chief Executive at Alpha Housing said: “We place huge importance on sustainability and biodiversity across our schemes, and this significant sustainability‑linked loan from Danske Bank allows us to embed clear biodiversity commitments as we grow.
“We have ambitious plans to grow our portfolio and this £20m funding facility and Danske Bank’s support will go a long way to help us achieve our goal of 240 sustainable new homes in the next five years.”
Dominic O’Neill, Senior Corporate Banking Manager at Danske Bank said: “We are pleased to support Alpha Housing with this significant funding package. Alpha Housing is showing real leadership by committing to measurable sustainability targets that go beyond energy efficiency alone.
“By linking finance to ESG outcomes, including biodiversity action, this partnership will help deliver new homes while creating lasting environmental benefits for communities across Northern Ireland. We remain firmly committed to supporting the social housing sector and meeting the needs of people across Northern Ireland.”
