Projects set to cut fuel bills for social housing tenants

Tens of thousands of social housing tenants across England are expected to have their energy bills cut and homes made warmer as the government makes £179m available to improve energy efficiency.

The funding will see 20,000 social housing properties with an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating of D or lower receive upgrades to improve their energy efficiency and reduce carbon emissions.

The 69 funded projects will use a range of measures to cut bills, including fitting external wall and roof insulation, energy efficient doors and windows, heat pumps and solar panels.

The upgrades are expected to support around 9,000 green energy sector jobs and deliver emissions savings equivalent to taking up to 6,000 cars off the roads in any given year.

The cash boost forms part of the government’s £3.8 billion Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund which will bring a significant amount of the social housing stock currently below EPC C up to a higher standard.

Minister for Business and Energy Lord Callanan said: ‘The UK has a strong track record in improving the energy performance of its homes and this funding will continue that as we deliver huge benefits for social housing residents – ensuring they keep more of their cash.

‘The £3.8 billion we’re investing through the Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund is helping drive down energy bills for thousands, targeting help to those who need it most by making their homes warmer, more comfortable and greener.’

Upgrades are expected to be completed by the end of March 2023, supporting thousands of lower income and more vulnerable households.

National Housing Federation Chief Executive Kate Henderson said: ‘We warmly welcome the announcement of the first Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund recipients. Alongside helping us to achieve our crucial net zero target, this will mean warmer, more comfortable homes for social housing residents, and importantly help to protect them from rising energy bills.

‘Housing associations are committed to working with government to upgrade the nation’s social housing stock, and this fund will play a vital role in this.’

In related news, new research has found that greenfield housing developments are adding hundreds of thousands of new car journeys to our roads, increasing congestion, carbon emissions and air pollution.

Photo by Erik Mclean