This marks the first major deployment of the Octopus Affordable Housing Strategy which includes both the funding of new construction and strategic acquisition of existing stock.

This transfer, made to Octopus’s registered social housing provider NewArch Homes, concerns 111 affordable rent, 68 shared ownership and 1 leasehold houses and flats.

Located in Bexley, Dartford, Sevenoaks and Wealden, these assets are all between two and six years ago. Housing management services will now be provided by Southern Housing.

Peter Merchant, investment director at Octopus Real Estate, said: “We’re delighted to have acquired these modern, high-quality affordable homes.

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“At Octopus Real Estate our aim is to work with housing providers and local authorities to accelerate the delivery of affordable homes, and we’re pleased this transfer will allow Golding Homes to reinvest funds to further increase the supply of affordable housing in the local community.”

Golding has sold these homes to facilitate investment elsewhere in its portfolio, specifically funding a new development in Shepway, Maidstone. This will include the construction of 236 energy efficient, affordable homes along with a modern shopping area.

Golding has also launched a £60m investment programme for improvements to existing homes over the next three years.

Tom Casey, director of development and strategic asset management at Golding, said: “The sale and transfer of these homes located outside of our core operational area, has been a strategic objective. This transfer enables us to strengthen our commitment to customers in and around the Borough of Maidstone where we’re based and deliver on our ambition to be visible, local and listening.”

“As a local landlord, it’s important customers remain at the heart of all we do. We’re pleased to have worked collaboratively with NewArch Homes and their managing partner Southern Housing, to ensure this transition is smooth, and customers continue to receive a high-quality service.”