Triodos Bank UK is a values-led bank that lends only to organisations whose work benefits people and the environment. In housing, at the time of writing (October 2026), it funds housing associations, co-housing groups and community-led housing projects to develop or buy new homes, with co-housing and community-led loans of up to £10m and typically up to 70% of the security value. Bridge & Build Finance is an independent broker and is not part of Triodos Bank, so we can compare it with other lenders to social and community housing. You can read more on Triodos Bank's own website.
About Triodos Bank
Triodos Bank NV was set up in the Netherlands in 1980, and Triodos Bank UK was established in 1995. The UK bank is wholly owned by its Dutch parent and is authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the PRA. Triodos became a Certified B Corporation in 2015.
Its stated mission is to help create a society that protects and promotes quality of life and human dignity for all. It lends to sectors including renewable energy, organic farming, social housing, charities and education, and says it will not lend to any organisation that puts profit before people and planet. All borrowers must meet its published minimum standards.
Triodos is one of the lenders we compare for social and community housing finance.
What Triodos Bank funds
Triodos's housing lending is aimed at organisations rather than individual developers.
| Borrower | What it funds | Typical loan size | Key terms |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing associations | Developing new homes, investing in existing stock, refinancing | £1m to £10m for a first facility, up to £20m with follow-on facilities | Repayment up to 25 years, drawdown periods up to 5 years, interest-only typically 5 to 10 years |
| Co-housing groups | Developing or buying new homes | Up to £10m | Typically up to 70% loan to security value, repayment up to 25 years |
| Community-led housing | Developing or buying new homes | Up to £10m | Typically up to 70% loan to security value, repayment up to 25 years |
Fixed rates are available for up to five years, and co-housing and community-led loans can also be variable. Triodos says it has an established relationship with the Community Land Trust Network.
Unlike most development finance, which is short-term and repaid by selling units, Triodos's housing loans are long-term facilities that can fund construction and then remain in place while the homes are let or occupied. For smaller property-secured loans, Triodos also has standardised lending from £100,000 up to £1m, at up to 75% loan-to-value.
Who Triodos Bank suits (and who it may not)
Triodos tends to suit:
- Housing associations building new homes or improving existing stock.
- Co-housing groups developing or buying a shared housing scheme.
- Community land trusts and other community-led housing projects.
- Charities and social enterprises with a housing project that has clear social or environmental benefits.
- Organisations that want a long-term lender rather than short-term build finance.
It is not suitable for commercial developers building homes for profit, individual landlords, self-builders or anyone needing a bridging loan. Projects that do not meet its minimum standards will not be considered, however strong the numbers.
What Triodos Bank looks at
Triodos looks first at the purpose of the organisation and the project. It lends against clearly defined criteria and expects borrowers to show a positive social, cultural or environmental impact. Alongside that, it will assess:
- The organisation's governance, finances and track record.
- The housing scheme, its costs and how it will be delivered.
- The security property, through valuation and legal due diligence before drawdown.
- Long-term affordability, since loans are repaid over up to 25 years.
- Credit checks on the organisation and key individuals.
Its relationship managers include teams covering Scotland, London and the South East, and a UK-wide social housing lead.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Specialist understanding of co-housing and community-led housing.
- Long repayment terms of up to 25 years.
- Facilities can cover development and then remain in place.
- Established ethical bank, part of Triodos Bank NV since 1995 in the UK.
- Fixed or variable rates available.
Cons
- Only lends to projects meeting its social and environmental standards.
- Not for commercial developers or individual investors.
- Leverage typically up to 70% of security value on community-led schemes.
- No bridging or short-term development products.
Going through a broker vs going direct
Many community and social housing groups approach Triodos directly, and its relationship managers are used to working with groups at an early stage. Comparing options is still useful: some community-led schemes are better served by combining a long-term bank loan with grant funding, a specialist social lender, or short-term development finance during construction.
We search the market, help present your project to suitable lenders and manage the process. It is free to enquire, and any broker fee is disclosed before you proceed.
Alternatives to Triodos Bank
- Homes England: the government's housing agency, which lends to developers and supports affordable housing.
- Development Bank of Wales: development lending for projects in Wales.
- Allica Bank: a business bank lending on property for established organisations.
- Close Brothers: a bank lender to housebuilders and developers.
Common questions
Who can borrow from Triodos for housing?
Triodos lends to housing associations, co-housing groups and community-led housing projects, provided the project meets its minimum standards for social, cultural or environmental impact.
How much does Triodos lend for community-led housing?
At the time of writing (October 2026), Triodos lends up to £10m to co-housing and community-led housing projects, typically up to 70% of the security value.
Does Triodos fund commercial housing developers?
Triodos says it will not lend to organisations that put profit before people and planet. A commercial developer building for sale would usually look to a development finance lender instead.
How long can a Triodos housing loan run?
Triodos's housing loans can be repaid over up to 25 years, with a margin review at year 10, and housing association facilities can have drawdown periods of up to five years.
This review is our independent summary of the lender's publicly stated lending, checked in October 2026. Criteria change, so confirm the current position before relying on it. Bridge & Build Finance is an independent broker and is not part of any lender reviewed. Finance is subject to status, valuation and lender approval.
