Seven major housing associations in England have joined forces to launch a scholarship programme to open up careers in social housing
Clarion Housing Group has teamed up with six other housing associations to unveil a major new scholarships programme designed to transform pathways into housing-related careers for under-represented groups.
Launched to mark National Scholarships Week, which begins today, the programme is coordinated by Clarion’s charitable foundation, Clarion Futures. The Social Housing Scholarships Programme is supported by Hyde, L&Q, Metropolitan Thames Valley Housing (MTVH), Peabody, Places for People and Riverside, with match funding provided by the Fusion21 Foundation.
Open to social housing residents of any age in England, the programme is aimed at those beginning an undergraduate degree in 2026. Priority will be given to applicants from lower-income households or who are the first in their family to attend university.
Clarion says that selection is based on “attitude, determination and enthusiasm” with less emphasis placed on academic performance than is typical in standard scholarship programmes.
Clare Miller, chief executive of Clarion Housing Group, said: “At Clarion, we believe that talent exists in every community, but opportunity doesn’t always follow.
“That’s why we’re proud to be leading the way with the new Social Housing Scholarships Programme, working with other leading housing associations to help level the playing field for social housing residents through financial support, mentoring and paid work experience to break down barriers.
“By opening up pathways into meaningful careers in housing, we’re investing in a more diverse generation of future professionals who will help shape stronger, thriving communities.”
Breaking barriers
By joining forces on this sector-wide initiative, the programme is anticipated to deliver greater reach and potential for long-term impact than any organisation could achieve alone, aiming to break down barriers and create meaningful, lasting change.
Managed by Blackbullion, the UK’s largest hub of scholarships and additional funding, the programme will fund 14 scholarships over two years, with each scholar receiving £18,000 paid in three annual instalments to help with living costs while at university. Alongside financial support, scholars will gain access to mentoring, paid work experience and networking opportunities.
The Social Housing Scholarships Programme supports a wide range of degree and career pathways connected to housing, homes and communities, including property, construction, sustainability, social policy, urban planning and business management.
There are more than 200 different roles to choose from in social housing alone, Clarion says, from frontline housing management to corporate service roles including business admin, HR, IT, finance, health and safety, governance, marketing and communications.
The initiative builds on Clarion’s William Sutton Prize scholarships launched in 2025, which supported six young people – four of whom were social housing residents – to study at leading institutions including the University of Oxford, UCL’s Bartlett School of Architecture and Ravensbourne University London.
Isata Kamara, a William Sutton Prize scholar who is studying architecture at The Bartlett Faculty of the Built Environment at UCL, said: “The scholarship has transformed my student experience, easing financial pressures so I can fully immerse myself in my architecture degree.
“Mentorship provides valuable insight into the profession, whilst work experience will connect me with industry experts and broaden my understanding of different practices. Funding for materials and study trips will help expand my skills and expose me to global perspectives, enriching my emerging practice.”
Applications for the Social Housing Scholarships Programme are open from 24 April until midnight on 5 July. Scholars will be selected following the publication of A-level results in August.
Confident steps
Andy Hulme, group chief executive of the Hyde Group, said: “At Hyde, we want people to have every chance to build the future they want. This programme opens doors that too often stay closed for talented people who simply haven’t had the same opportunities as others. By removing financial barriers and offering real, practical support, we’re helping people take that next step with confidence.
“We’re proud to be part of a partnership that’s investing in the people in our homes and strengthening the communities we serve. The scholars who come through this programme will bring fresh perspectives and skills into our sector, and that can only make the sector stronger in the long term.”
Fiona Fletcher-Smith, chief executive at L&Q, said: “When someone starts at a disadvantage, their opportunities are limited. That leaves little room for inspiration, creativity, or dreams – the very things essential to achieving our potential.
“The Social Housing Scholarships Programme shows the power of partnership in tackling the inequalities that close doors. It also gives our sector an opportunity to define itself in the eyes of talented people, many of whom know little about what we do.
“We’re very proud to be part of this initiative, helping young people kick-start their careers in housing and build brighter futures.”
Mel Barrett, chief executive at Metropolitan Thames Valley Housing (MTVH), said: “Our mission is to create places where people can live well and have the opportunity to thrive. We’re proud to be involved in this scholarships programme, which will support residents to build confidence, gain real experience and move into meaningful careers that will make a positive difference to homes, communities and the future of social housing.”
Ian McDermott, chief executive at Peabody, said: “This programme will help open up housing careers to more people from a wider range of backgrounds, backing the talent and potential we see every day in the communities we serve.
“By working together with partners across the sector, we can go further and have a greater impact – creating more opportunities and breaking down barriers into housing careers.
“Through a combination of financial support, mentoring, work experience and networks, the programme offers a supported route into the sector and will help make housing careers more accessible and inclusive.”
Jamie Dickinson, group head of social impact at Places for People, said: “We see every day how much potential exists within our communities, but we also see the very real barriers, including financial pressures, limited networks, and for some, the stigma that still surrounds coming from a social housing background, that can make university feel out of reach. These challenges aren’t about talent or ambition; they’re about structural inequalities that this programme aims to tackle head-on.
“By offering financial support alongside mentoring and real industry experience, we’re helping people not only access university but to truly thrive once they’re there.
“This programme is a powerful example of what we can achieve when we work together. Through this scholarship, we’re opening doors to careers in housing and beyond, and investing in a new generation whose perspectives and experiences will be vital to the future of our sector.”
Paul Dolan, group chief executive of Riverside, said: “We are incredibly proud to support the Social Housing Scholarships Programme which will help residents to realise their full potential.
“Across the country, social housing offers a diverse range of rewarding career paths and we are excited to see this programme unlock new opportunities for the customers and communities we all serve.
“This initiative is perfectly aligned with our values of care, inclusivity and trust. We look forward to playing our part in bringing it to life this year.”
Image credit: Monthira/Shutterstock
Read next: How to be a carer friendly employer
Are you a social housing professional? Sign up for a FREE MEMBERSHIP to upload news stories, post job vacancies, and connect with colleagues on our secure social feed.
