New Build Housing Construction (H2)
Framework Description
New Build Housing Construction (H2) is an LHC Procurement Group framework for new build housing and associated works, including development agreements and land purchases. It is available to local authorities, social landlords and other public sector bodies, has six workstreams and runs until 4 September 2027. Applications for this framework are closed (it is not a DPS), and projects started before the end date can continue beyond it.
Context & Use Case
Councils and housing providers use H2 for houses, bungalows, flats and apartments, care and extra care schemes, student and key worker accommodation, and conversions of commercial buildings into homes. It also covers rooftop developments, mixed-use sites, net zero carbon and low energy buildings, and the civil engineering, demolition and site clearance needed to get a site ready.
Scope of Services
Workstream 1: low rise housing up to 11m floor height Workstream 2: independent, assisted and residential care housing Workstream 3: medium to high rise developments above 11m Workstream 4: refurbishment, conversions, extensions and adaptations Workstream 5: groundworks and site preparation for new build housing Workstream 6: demolition, decontamination and site enabling works
Lots
Low Rise Housing up to 11m Floor Height; Construction of Independent, Assisted and Residential Care Housing; Medium to High Rise Developments with Floor Heights above 11m; Refurbishment, Conversions, Extensions and Adaptations; Groundworks and Site Preparation for New Build Housing Projects; Demolition, Decontamination and Associated Site Enabling Works
Who Can Apply
Suits housebuilders, main contractors, care housing specialists, groundworks firms and demolition contractors. Applications for H2 are closed, so firms not already appointed cannot join until it is re-tendered, which is likely around its 4 September 2027 end date.
Buyer Benefits
Housing providers reach contractors already assessed for housing work, with one route covering land deals, development agreements and enabling works as well as construction. Separate workstreams for low rise, care housing, buildings above 11m and site preparation help them match contractors to the risk and scale of each scheme. Net zero scope supports their carbon targets.
Next Steps
Appointed contractors should pursue schemes in their workstreams before September 2027 and turn completed projects into case studies. Others should read LHC's H2 procurement guide, follow its framework pages for news of a replacement, decide which workstream fits their track record, and gather housing case studies, building safety evidence for higher-rise work and carbon performance data now.
How Athena Can Help
Applications for H2 are closed until it is re-tendered, so Athena's framework entry support focuses on getting you ready for its replacement: choosing the right workstream, building a 6–12 month pipeline plan and preparing the selection evidence early.
For appointed contractors, our bid management for call-offs covers win themes, competitor modelling and pricing for scheme-level competitions. Our public sector construction bids work keeps each submission compliant, including the social value commitments that housing clients score.
