About North Downs Housing

North Downs Housing Limited (NDH) is an independent local housing company established in April 2016. The organisation is wholly owned by Guildford Borough Council Holdings Limited, which in turn is owned by Guildford Borough Council. While owned by the Council, North Downs Housing operates as a separate legal entity.

The organisation was established to provide a range of housing solutions for people living and working in Guildford. Guildford Borough Council has stated that North Downs Housing was created to complement existing housing provision within the borough, increase the supply of housing and support the delivery of homes for rent and sale. The Council has also identified the company’s role in generating returns for the General Fund.

The creation of North Downs Housing formed part of a wider response to housing challenges within the borough. Council reports at the time highlighted the need for additional housing supply and explored how a wholly owned local authority housing company could provide greater flexibility to acquire, develop and manage homes outside the traditional Housing Revenue Account framework.

Today, North Downs Housing manages a portfolio of approximately 90 sub-market and private rented homes in Guildford. Whilst the organisation is not a Registered Provider of social housing, it plays a role within the borough’s wider housing landscape through the ownership and management of housing assets.

North Downs Housing is now entering an important period in its development. Over the past year, the organisation has undertaken a detailed options appraisal and financial modelling exercise. This work concluded that North Downs Housing is financially viable and identified a range of potential strategic options for the future. These options include different approaches to the organisation’s future direction and the management of its housing portfolio.

Alongside this work, North Downs Housing is strengthening its governance arrangements through the appointment of an independent Board Chair and Board Member. These appointments will add independent expertise and oversight to the Board as the organisation continues to consider its future direction and governance requirements. Recent recruitment planning discussions have focused on attracting individuals with strong strategic, commercial and property-related experience who can contribute to effective decision-making and governance.

Joining North Downs Housing provides an opportunity to contribute to the governance of a council-owned housing company at a significant point in its development. Successful appointees will play an important role in supporting effective oversight, providing constructive challenge and helping ensure the organisation is well placed to navigate the opportunities and decisions that lie ahead.