By Ben Kerrigan-
The UK government has unveiled a significant funding initiative to enhance the energy efficiency of social housing.
Secretary of State for Energy Security Claire Coutinho announced the allocation of over £75 million from the Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund for the implementation of free upgrades to social homes across England.
This initiative is expected to benefit up to 8,800 households, resulting in an average annual saving of £400 on energy bills per household.
The funding will be utilized by 42 councils and housing associations to install insulation, double glazing, and heat pumps, thereby improving the thermal performance of homes and reducing energy consumption.
The initiative not only aims to alleviate financial burdens on low-income households but also contributes to environmental sustainability by lowering carbon emissions.
Minister for Energy Efficiency and Green Finance, Lord Callanan(pictured) emphasized the dual impact of the initiative, stating that it not only leads to cheaper bills for tenants but also supports job creation in the retrofit industry, with an estimated 1,300 jobs set to be created.
This funding injection builds upon the success of the Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund, which has already allocated over £1 billion since 2019 to various projects aimed at enhancing energy efficiency in social housing.
Through initiatives like these, the government endeavors to elevate the Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) ratings of homes, with nearly half of all homes in England now rated EPC Band C or above, compared to just 14% in 2010.
The significance of such investments extends beyond immediate financial savings, as they contribute to broader national objectives of transitioning to low-carbon heating solutions.
The government’s commitment to this cause is evident in initiatives such as the Boiler Upgrade Scheme, which incentivizes households to switch to cleaner, low-carbon heating alternatives.
Chief Executive of the National Housing Federation Kate Henderson lauded the government’s initiative, emphasizing the critical role of housing associations in driving energy efficiency efforts. She highlighted the importance of funding in enabling housing associations to deliver retrofit projects that alleviate fuel poverty and improve residents’ living conditions.
Reacting to the announcement, previous recipients of funding from the Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund expressed appreciation for the positive impact of the upgrades.
Michael Kelleher, Head of Planning and Housing at Durham County Council, noted the tangible benefits experienced by households, including reduced carbon emissions and lower energy costs.
Similarly, Chief Executive of Karbon Homes Paul Fiddaman emphasized the transformative effect of the funding on providing warmer and more comfortable homes for residents. He stressed the significance of such initiatives in light of ongoing cost-of-living challenges faced by many households.