Abstract Dutch policies to reach a CO 2 neutral housing stock in 2050 force housing associations to realise higher renovation rates at lower costs. The potential for standardisation in renovation processes of the housing stock is huge. Practice shows that an increasing number of housing associations bundle their individual maintenance and sustainable renovation projects in renovation programs for two or more years. Programs that are then implemented in strategic partnerships with maintenance contractors. This paper clarifies the rationale behind this development, sketches internal and external factors that encourage and hinder this development and presents the effects of the shift from projects to programs. The paper contributes to the scientific body of knowledge of public clients in construction collaborating with market parties. The research provides housing associations and contractors tools for the implementation of successful partnerships. The paper is based on an explorative literature review and case-studies of strategic partnerships in this field. The findings show that strategic partnering in housing renovation programs increases the renovation rates of individual housing associations. Also the tenants’ satisfaction with the renovation process is high. Trust is key in the collaboration between the strategic partners. Hindering factors are the realisation of the necessary culture and organizational changes on both the supply and demand side.