Sanctuary has reportedly secured a buyer for its £400m student accommodation portfolio, with Global Student Accommodation (GSA) lined up to seal the deal.
In October 2024, Sanctuary Housing Association announced that it was seeking a buyer for 5,600 bedrooms across 21 of its student schemes. The sale forms part of Sanctuary’s objective to unlock and recycle capital for new investment within its existing affordable homes.
The 125,000-home association is selling the assets in eight different locations – Manchester, Salford, London, Brighton, Bradford, Falmouth, Liverpool, Preston and Ormskirk.
Sanctuary was established over 50 years ago and now provides housing and care in England and Scotland to over a quarter of a million people. The company aims to build affordable homes and sustainable communities in desirable areas.
The company’s bigger properties have on-site teams, with all of its sites providing residential access to a 24-hour support network. The support teams includes caretakers, online reporting and a maintenance helpline for any emergency repairs.
In May 2025, Sanctuary reported a deficit of around £30m in its 2024/25 accounts due mainly to property revaluations and a development write-down.
The £30m deficit compares to a surplus of £207m the previous year, the latter figure inflated by a £162m gain from the acquisition of Johnnie Johnson Housing Trust.
“The group will report a deficit before tax in the region of £30m.This is due, in the main, to downward revaluation movements on the group’s student and commercial properties, and a write-down in the carrying value of a development site.”
Statement, Sanctuary Housing Association
