The 36,000-home housing association invested almost £250m in new and existing homes over the year

Thirteen Group increased its investment in housing development by 75% in the 2023/24 financial year.

Matt Forrest

Source: Thirteen Group

Matt Forrest, chief executive of Thirteen Group

The North-east landlord, in its financial statement for the year to 31 March, said it spent a total of £133.8m on delivering new homes, compared to £76.2m the previous year.

It built 542 homes for rent and shared ownership during the year, slightly below its target of 550, but up from the 454 homes delivered in 2022/23.

Thirteen plans to increase its housing delivery again this year, with a target to build 650 new homes. Over the next five years, Thirteen plans to deliver 1,861 new homes.

The association also increased its investment in existing homes, from £88.3m to £109.2m, which it says is its “highest ever recorded spend” on its properties.

>> See also: North East council leaders sign devolution deal

>> See also: Riverside records deficit for second consecutive year but increases new build

Thirteen’s surplus for the year grew from £24.4m to £29m, representing an 18.8% increase.

The group’s turnover increased by £9.3m compared to the previous year, to £207.3m.

Income from social housing lettings rose from £168.7m in the 2022/2023 financial year to £183m in 2023/24, driven by an average 7% rent increase.

Thirteen also saw an increase in the number of properties developed for sale and sold, with the sale of 162 homes resulting in a turnover of £10.2m, up from £7.8m.

Thirteen’s earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortisation, major repairs included (EBITDA MRI) dropped from £39.2m to £26.7m, which it said reflects the high demand for our services during the year and a planned increase in investment in its housing stock.

In his statement, the chief executive of Thirteen, Matt Forrest, said “we’ve experienced an exceptionally high demand for our repair services, which saw us complete 15,876 more repairs than last year”.

The housing association’s EBITDA MRI margin decreased from 19.9% to 13%.

Thirteen’s board has agreed to lower the threshold for its EBITDA-MRI interest cover from 165% to 125% to provide the housing association with greater flexibility, while ensuring financial viability is maintained.

Chief finance officer at Thirteen, Jane Castor, said: “We are very pleased with the progress we have made with our funding strategy during 2023/24, having renegotiated our interest cover covenants to EBITDA only, raised £100m of additional long-term finance, and increased revolving credit facilities.

“This, together with our financial strength, gives us a strong foundation to raise additional funding and accelerate our investment in improving and building homes even further.

“We’ve delivered this while retaining our customer focus and recording a significant increase in customer satisfaction ratings.

“All in all, it’s a very encouraging set of results delivered against a backdrop of huge financial and operational challenges in the sector.”

Housing association financial statements 2023/24

Riverside records deficit for second consecutive year but increases new build Chair says deficit dude to combined impact of difficult operating environment and anticipated challenges from One Housing merger

EMH Group latest to undershoot development target East midlands provider increases shared ownership and sales income

Yorkshire Housing’s turnover and surplus fall as market sale income plummets Open market sales revenue drops from £15.2m to £1.1m

Great Places builds less than 70% of targeted affordable homes Housing association planned to build 786 in 2023/24

Stonewater increases development 23% as it boosts spend on new build Surplus doubles due to one-off merger gain but repair costs rise

Metropolitan Thames Valley Housing increases development spend by 40% Accounts also confirm £80m deficit after building safety costs and write-downs

A2 Dominion’s deficit increases as it aims to restore regulatory compliance Landlord starts work on just nine homes as it focuses on improving existing stock

L&Q trebles surplus as operating costs fall Housing association spends £112m on capital works as it shifts expenditure towards existing homes

Orbit’s development drops by 30% as it ramps up spend on existing homes  Midlands housing association’s surplus falls by 39%

Turnover and surplus up at Onward Homes North-west landlord posts an 11% increase in its annual turnover

Peabody turnover down 11% due to reduced sales and site delays Landlords scales back development and invests more in improving existing stock as it shifts to neighbourhood model 

Guinness undershoots development target by nearly half Landlord says resource pressures and contractor administrations hit annual development figures

Housing delivery up 31% at Places for People Repair and maintenance spend exceeds planned budget

Flagship boosts surplus by 16% despite fall in open market sales and higher salaries East of England provider built 744 homes in the 2023/24

Aster’s surplus hit by higher interest costs and writedowns The housing association’s pre-tax profit falls 14%  due to a combination of an increase in costs caused by inflation and an ‘all-time high’ investment in its homes

Abri invests ‘record’ £100m in existing homes but sees 19% dip in annual completions The 50,000-home housing association reports  ‘exceptional’ surplus of £518m due to merger with Silva Homes.

Hyde Group misses build target by nearly half as it’s hit by £39m in write-downs 44,000-home association reports 78% drop in surplus as it is hit by contractor insolvencies on two schemes

Home Group increases development 17% Home Group handed over 1,284 homes last year, according to its financial statement for the year to 31 March 2024.

Moat reports squeezed margins and lower surplus Moat Homes has reported a drop in surplus and turnover, as its social housing lettings margin fell sharply.

Midland Heart increases development as it eyes 4,000-home target 35,000-home association increases investment in new build and improving existing stock

LiveWest undershoots affordable homes target due to delayed starts on site South west-based association built fewer affordable homes in 2023/24 than its target due to “site specific” issues.

Paradigm exceeds development target Buckinghamshire-based housing association says new build “central part” of mission as it increases surplus and turnover

Karbon increases development but sees margins squeezed due to hike in repairs costs Newcastle-based landlord builds 644 homes in 2023/24

BPHA boosts turnover but reports deficit due to one-off refinancing costs Bedfordshire landlord increases completions by 20%

Vivid increases development to more than 1,500 homes a year Housing association boosts development by 10% in face of surplus squeeze

Southern stops committing to new developments as surplus falls 80,000-home housing association ramps up spend on existing homes

Surplus down but turnover rises in SNG’s first post-merger financial accounts The merged organisation, which is aiming to develop 25,000 new homes over the next decade, says its balance sheet is ‘robust, diversified and resilient’

Platform Housing’s surplus falls due to pension scheme exits costing £18m The Midlands-based housing association also cited cost pressures from investment in homes, customer services, and high inflation

Bromford Housing reports increase in turnover, but higher operating costs Housing association cites  higher repair volumes

Clarion reports drop in turnover and surplus as it takes ‘cautious’ approach to development Housing association giant increases spend on existing stock from £393m to £418m

Sanctuary increases turnover despite 35% drop in sales income  Giant housing association misses development target

Turnover and surplus up at Onward Homes North-west housing association increases shared ownership sales income

L&Q trebles surplus as operating costs fall The 109,000-home housing association has spent £112m on capital works as it shifts expenditure towards existing homes

Jigsaw Homes delivers ‘record’ 929 new homes and increases surplus The housing association’s surplus increased by £8.5m during the year

Wheatley boss warns build pipeline depends on Scottish government grant funding 94,000-home group reports fall in annual development and warns government budget cuts will affect build rates