Growth and Housing Accelerator Fund
The Growth and Housing Accelerator (GHA) Fund invests £165 million to remove the transport infrastructure barriers holding back housing and employment sites across England.
Working with local authorities and developers, the GHA Fund is helping to deliver the government's ambition of 1.5 million new homes this Parliament.
What the fund does
Many housing and employment sites already have planning permission but cannot be built because transport improvements are needed first. The GHA Fund aims to address any viability funding gaps - targeting schemes that are ready to go, where infrastructure is the only thing standing in the way.
The match funding aims for a 3:1 basis: two parts public funding and one part private, to one part GHA Fund. National Highways works in partnership with local authorities and developers to maximise impact and accelerate delivery.
How the fund builds on previous success
This is a proven model. The previous Growth and Housing Fund supported 28 schemes and unlocked £415 million in match funding, unlocking new homes and jobs across England. It funded more than 30 new crossings for people walking, cycling and horse riding, alongside essential road improvements that opened up development sites - including the A46/A5630 Anstey Lane junction in Leicester and the M5 Tithebarn Link Scheme in Devon.
The Growth and Housing Fund builds on that success as part of Road Investment Strategy 3 (RIS3) - the government's five-year plan for England's motorways and major A-roads - backing the Plan for Change and its Rebuilding Britain ambitions.
"Our roads connect communities, support businesses and play a vital role in enabling the homes England needs. The Growth and Housing Accelerator Fund lets us work hand in hand with local authorities and developers to remove the infrastructure barriers holding back development - contributing to the government's mission to build 1.5 million new homes this Parliament."Elliot Shaw, Chief Customer and Strategy Officer at National Highways
Who can apply
Local authorities and Mayoral Strategic Authorities can apply for Growth and Housing Fund investment. To be eligible, your project must:
- require a transport improvement on or near the Strategic Road Network to unlock a stalled housing and/or employment site
- have planning permission with a condition requiring that transport work to be delivered
- have match funding in place
See Fund prospectus for full eligibility and selection criteria.
While only local and mayoral authorities can apply directly, we actively encourage early engagement with developer partners to strengthen applications.
How to apply
Expressions of Interest are now open. Applications close on Friday 19 June 2026.
- Read the fund prospectus
- Complete the Expression of Interest form
- Read the Expression of Interest guidance
Register for a webinar
Our webinars will walk you through the eligibility criteria and application process. Register here:
If you have questions before then, contact us at GHAFund@NationalHighways.co.uk.
