Stonewater – A Leading Social Housing Provider with 39,000 Homes Across England
Stonewater is one of the UK’s leading social housing providers, owning and managing approximately 39,000 homes across England.
With a strong commitment to affordability, sustainability, and community empowerment, Stonewater plays a central role in addressing the country’s growing demand for safe, high-quality housing. The organisation’s vision is clear to allow everyone to have a place they can call home.
Origins and Growth of Stonewater
Stonewater was established in 2015 following the merger of two significant housing associations, Jephson Homes Housing Association and Raglan Housing.
The merger created one of the most dynamic and forward-thinking social landlords in the UK, with operations stretching from the South Coast to the Midlands and the North of England.
From the outset, Stonewater has been focused on combining financial strength with social purpose.
Its approach to housing delivery is based on innovation, efficiency, and long-term sustainability, ensuring that every decision contributes to better homes and stronger communities.
Scale and Presence Across England
Stonewater’s housing portfolio comprises approximately 39,000 properties, serving over 80,000 residents. Its homes range from:
- Social and affordable rent properties for low- and middle-income families.
- Shared ownership homes are helping first-time buyers onto the property ladder.
- Specialist and supported housing for older residents, people with disabilities, and those requiring transitional accommodation.
- Market rent and build-to-rent units supporting mixed-tenure communities.
Stonewater operates in over 140 local authority areas, with significant concentrations in regions such as the South Coast, the Midlands, Yorkshire, and the West of England.
Mission and Core Values
Three core values guide Stonewater’s mission:
- Ambition – to grow responsibly while addressing the national housing crisis.
- Passion – to improve lives through quality housing and community engagement.
- Integrity – to operate with transparency, accountability, and care.
These principles underpin every part of the organisation, from property development to tenant support.
Building New Affordable Homes
Stonewater is among the UK’s most active housing developers, delivering thousands of new affordable homes each year. Its development strategy focuses on building energy-efficient, mixed-tenure communities that integrate well with local infrastructure and services.
Key development priorities include:
- Regeneration of brownfield sites to maximise land use.
- Partnerships with Homes England, local councils, and private developers.
- Investment in modular and off-site construction for faster, sustainable delivery.
Recent projects have included.
Significant developments in Bournemouth, Bristol, Reading, and Yorkshire, each designed to provide affordable, high-quality homes while enhancing neighbourhood character.
Commitment to Sustainability
Stonewater is a national leader in sustainable housing. The organisation has pledged to reach net-zero carbon by 2050 and is already implementing pioneering green building practices.
Its sustainability strategy includes:
- Installing solar panels, air-source heat pumps, and intelligent energy systems.
- Designing low-carbon, highly insulated homes to reduce fuel poverty.
- Partnering in pilot schemes such as the Future Home Standard initiative to test zero-carbon homes.
These efforts not only contribute to environmental goals but also help residents reduce living costs — a crucial advantage amid rising energy prices.
Resident Support and Community Investment
Stonewater’s focus extends beyond providing homes — it’s about creating strong, resilient communities. Through the Stonewater Community Investment Programme, the organisation funds initiatives that enhance wellbeing, employment, and educational opportunities for its tenants.
Community support initiatives include:
- Employment and training grants for residents seeking new qualifications and skills.
- Youth engagement projects encourage participation and leadership.
- Digital inclusion programmes ensure residents have access to technology and online services.
- Wellbeing partnerships addressing mental health and isolation in vulnerable groups.
In 2023 alone, Stonewater’s community projects benefitted over 20,000 residents, demonstrating its long-term commitment to social value.
Innovation and Technology
Stonewater has embraced digital transformation to enhance service quality and efficiency. It’s MyHome online portal allows tenants to:
- Pay rent securely online.
- Report repairs and track progress.
- Access tenancy information instantly.
The organisation also leverages data analytics and predictive maintenance to manage properties proactively, identifying issues before they become major repairs. This tech-forward approach ensures faster response times and higher resident satisfaction.
Diversity, Inclusion, and Equality
Stonewater champions diversity and inclusion both within its workforce and across its communities. It has been recognised as a top employer for gender equality and LGBTQ+ inclusion, ensuring that its operations reflect the values of the residents it serves.
Internally, Stonewater runs leadership programmes that promote diversity in management, while externally, it partners with organisations such as Women in Social Housing (WISH) and Inside Housing’s Inclusive Futures network to drive change across the housing sector.
Governance and Financial Strength
As a regulated social housing provider, Stonewater is overseen by the Regulator of Social Housing (RSH). It maintains the highest governance (G1) and viability (V1) ratings, reflecting strong financial management and adherence to compliance standards.
Its sustainable business model combines:
- A secure rental income base.
- Strategic investment in development and regeneration.
- Reinvestment of surpluses into affordable housing and community support.
This balance allows Stonewater to operate with both commercial acumen and a deep sense of social responsibility.
Responding to the UK Housing Crisis
Stonewater’s role in the UK’s affordable housing landscape is becoming increasingly vital. With millions of people struggling to find secure and cheap accommodation, the organisation continues to lead through innovation, collaboration, and advocacy.
It works closely with Homes England and the National Housing Federation to influence national housing policy and promote new funding models that enable the construction of more affordable homes at scale.
By focusing on mixed-tenure developments, Stonewater helps to create socially cohesive neighbourhoods that bridge the gap between private and social housing markets.
Looking Ahead
Stonewater’s future ambitions are bold yet grounded in its founding values. Over the coming years, the organisation plans to:
- Deliver thousands of new affordable homes annually.
- Retrofit existing homes to improve energy performance.
- Expand its shared ownership programme to help more first-time buyers.
- Continue investing in digital innovation and resident empowerment.
Its long-term vision is to ensure that everyone regardless of income or circumstance has access to a quality home and a thriving community.
Conclusion
Stonewater stands out as a forward-thinking housing association that combines social purpose with strategic innovation. Managing around 39,000 homes, it provides safe, affordable, and sustainable housing to tens of thousands of people across England.
Through its dedication to community development, environmental leadership, and tenant-focused service, Stonewater continues to shape the future of affordable housing, proving that progress, compassion, and professionalism can go hand in hand.
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