Awards and recognition
This space shares the latest awards and recognition received by Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund Wave 2 and Home Upgrade Grant Phase 2 projects, showcasing the scheme’s impact and highlighting innovative efforts.
If your organisation has been shortlisted for or won an award and you can’t see yourself featured here, please reach out to the team at [email protected] – we’d love to celebrate your achievements.
Winner: Retrofit project of the year – London and South
Awarded by: Unlock Net Zero Awards
Date: 2025
Flagship Housing Group Limited, Abri, and Low Carbon Exchange won for their resident-first SHDF Wave 2 retrofit, which improved homes to EPC B and cut energy bills by up to 50%. Judges praised the programme’s strong delivery partnerships, measurable impact, and scalable, data-led approach to decarbonisation.
Winner: Retrofit project of the year – North and Scotland
Awarded by: Unlock Net Zero Awards
Date: 2025
Plus Dane Housing (member of the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority consortium) and Next Energy Solutions won for their SHDF Wave 2 retrofit of Liverpool’s Welsh Streets. The project tackled damp and mould, upgraded 17 hard-to-let homes, and prioritised resident dignity with multilingual support and culturally sensitive delivery. Over 75% of works were delivered in-house using local labour.
Best social Housing-led retrofit programme
Awarded by: The Retrofit Academy Awards
Date: March 2025
In collaboration with Sustainable Building Services (UK), Rykneld Homes received this award for their regeneration project focused on retrofitting homes with external wall insulation. This initiative enhanced energy efficiency and aesthetics across multiple communities, including Shirland, Danesmoor, and Killamarsh
Refurbishment project of the year
Awarded by: Efficiency East Midlands (EEM) Building Communities Awards
Date: April 2025
This accolade was awarded for Rykneld Homes' partnership with Sustainable Building Services (UK) Ltd in executing a £21 million retrofit decarbonisation project, improving over 640 properties.
Best Retrofit Innovation or Project
Awarded by: Housing Innovation Awards 2025
Date: February 12, 2025
Citizen Housing was recognized for their Social Housing Decarbonisation Funded (SHDF) Coventry Wave 2.1 project, which exemplifies innovative approaches to retrofitting social housing to enhance energy efficiency and sustainability.
Regional Large Scale Project (>250K) of the Year (highly commended)
Awarded by: South East Energy Efficiency Awards
Date: 2025
Dartford Borough Council and Dover District Council working together on HUG 2
Regional Large Scale Project (>250K) of the Year (highly commended)
Awarded by: Yorkshire and Humberside Energy Efficiency Awards
Date: 2025
Home Upgrade Grant 2 (HUG2) - North Yorkshire Council
National Multi-Measure Project of the Year
Awarded by: National Energy Efficiency Awards 2024
Date: 2024
Birmingham City Council, in partnership with EQUANS Regeneration Ltd, received the National Multi-Measure Project of the Year award for their delivery of the SHDF Wave 2.1 programme. This award celebrates large-scale retrofit projects that effectively combine multiple energy efficiency measures to deliver significant impact for residents and communities.
Green Homes Upgrade of the Year – Central and East of England
Awarded by: Unlock Net Zero Awards 2024
Date: 2024
Lincolnshire Housing Partnership, in collaboration with E.ON, received the Green Homes Upgrade of the Year award for the Central and East of England region. The project was commended for successfully retrofitting a challenging housing typology and implementing an effective tenant engagement strategy. The judges noted, "If this housing typology can be retrofitted, they can retrofit anything."
Winner: Regional Large Scale Project (>£250K) of the Year
Awarded by: West Midlands Energy Efficiency Awards
Date: March 2025
Social Housing Decarbonisation Programmes – West Midlands
West Midlands Combined Authority's Energy Capital Team spearheaded a large-scale retrofit programme, upgrading over 2,600 social homes across the region. This initiative integrated SHDF funding with local delivery strategies, addressing fuel poverty and enhancing energy efficiency.
Regional Large-Scale Project (>£250K) of the Year – Highly Commended & Commended
Awarded by: East Midlands Energy Efficiency Awards
Date: March 2025
- Highly Commended: North Kesteven District Council and EQUANS – SHDF Wave 2.1 Project
- Highly Commended: The Social Housing Decarbonisation Wave 2.1 Project
- Commended: Northamptonshire Rural Housing Association and Sureserve Compliance Central – SHDF Wave 2.1
Regional Large Scale Project (>250K) of the Year (highly commended)
Awarded by: Greater London Energy Efficiency Awards
London Borough of Barking & Dagenham Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund Wave 2.2
Regional Large Scale Project (>250K) of the Year (highly commended)
Awarded by: West Midlands Energy Efficiency Awards
Rugby Borough Council SHDF Wave 2.1
This £2 million project improved energy efficiency in over 100 council homes, focusing on 1950s Wimpey No-Fines properties. The anticipated outcome is a reduction in household energy consumption by approximately 558,152 kWh.
Green Homes Upgrade of the Year – Central and East of England (Shortlisted)
Awarded by: Unlock Net Zero Live Awards 2024
Date: 2024
Multiple SHDF-funded projects were shortlisted in this regional category, which celebrates excellence in energy-efficient home upgrades:
- Citizen Housing – SHDF Wave 1 and Wave 2.1
- Equans and North Kesteven District Council – SHDF Wave 2.1 Project