Savills IM secures £123 million in initial funding for the launch of its UK Simply Affordable Homes Fund

Savills Investment Management (Savills IM) has announced the first close of the Savills IM Simply Affordable Homes Limited Partnership (the Fund), with five founding investors: Big Society Capital, London CIV, Samsung Life Insurance, Savills Plc and Schroder BSC Social Impact Trust Plc.

The Fund will invest in and oversee a diversified portfolio of affordable housing, including both affordable and social-rent homes as well as shared-ownership homes, in an open-ended core product designed for institutional investors seeking a low risk, inflation-linked income stream, all while making a positive societal impact.

Simply Affordable Homes RP Limited, the Fund’s For-Profit Registered Provider, will enable it to purchase existing high-quality income-producing stock through establishing strategic partnerships with housing associations and other registered providers, releasing capital to develop more homes.

The Fund will also facilitate the delivery of new homes and through strategic partnerships with developers and housebuilders, addressing the urgent need for affordable housing in the UK.

With a focus on fostering genuine social change, the Fund operates under enhanced governance frameworks and a sustainable investment strategy. The Fund has a “Theory of Change” impact framework, developed in partnership with The Good Economy (TGE) – a leading social impact advisory firm. Furthermore, the Fund has committed to a targeted carbon reduction plan, aligning with high environmental standards and striving towards achieving Net Zero Carbon status by 2040.

Dominic Curtis, Fund Manager and Chief Executive, Simply Affordable Homes RP, commented: “Our high-quality RP and investment strategy has attracted some of the industry’s leading figures as directors, including Keith Exford CBE, Ann Santry CBE and Jack Stephen. Our sourcing platform has multiple links to the existing sector and through our strategic partnerships with Housing Associations and other private developers, we hope to deliver much needed capital into the sector.”

Christopher Osborne, Head of Real Estate at London CIV commented: “Following extensive due diligence and negotiations on behalf of our partners funds, we are excited for LCIV UK Housing Fund to partner with Savills IM and be an anchor investor in Simply Affordable Homes. Private capital has a vital role to play in the affordable housing sector, and we are confident that Savills IM will deliver robust long term returns for our partner funds, and through its impact led approach support the provision of much needed affordable homes in the UK, through investing in existing, and increasing the supply of high-quality affordable homes.”

Alex Jeffrey, Chief Executive, Savills IM, commented: “The UK faces serious housing challenges, especially with regard to affordability, and this fund aims to help address this. Investing in UK affordable housing provides opportunities for institutional capital to meet commitments to socially responsible investing and make a significant and positive impact, whilst achieving attractive returns.”