Our green investments
At NCHA, we have a far-reaching commitment to be sustainable; the new homes we build, the existing homes we improve and the communities we invest in. But one thing we don’t often talk about is our ‘green’ finances.
The way that we manage our money can have a huge impact on our people and our planet. Aligning with our Sustainability Strategy, we’ve been making sure that we’re investing our funds in an ethical way.
£57million in ‘green deposits’
To build new affordable homes, we often take out big loans, like the recent £100m from the Affordable Homes Guarantee Scheme, and are faced with the decision of where to invest it until it’s needed.
Our Finance team look at not only where we can secure the best interest rates, but also where our money can be placed to make a positive impact on the planet.
These investments, known as sustainable or ‘green deposits’, are made to banks that promise not to invest our funds in environmentally damaging sectors, such as fossil fuels. Many invest directly in green initiatives such as energy efficiency for homes.
Darren Phillips, our Assistant Director of Finance, explained: “After thorough research on where our money can make the greatest positive impact, our first round of green investments totalled £48m in January 2025.
“We’re pleased to say that, following work to widen our access to short-term investment deposits, most notably with Barclays Bank:
- Our green investments increased in March 2025 to £57m (including £26.5m invested for a minimum of six months)
- In June 2025, our sustainable and green investments totalled £71.5m, with £40.5m of that amount likely be invested for a minimum of six months.
“This money will help support things like renewable energy, clean transport and pollution prevention, until we’re ready to withdraw it to invest in building new homes.
“It’s a great opportunity to maximise the good this money will do for our communities. This conscious decision to put NCHA’s cash funds into investment deposits that will fund environmentally friendly initiatives is all part of our continuing commitment to sustainability.”
