Scheme:
Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund: Wave 2.2
Technologies used:
External wall insulation, Cavity wall insulation, Loft insulation, Air source heat pump, Solar PV, Double glazing, Ventilation
Region:
East Midlands
Client type:
Housing
Council set to scale up retrofit works applying lessons learnt from earlier scheme
Key information
Key statistics
134 homes
received energy efficiency measures
£852k grant funding
awarded through SHDF Wave 2.2
Hundreds of homes set for energy efficiency upgrades, propelled by funding through government schemes
Nearly 1,000 social homes across north west Leicestershire will soon be warmer and cheaper to heat thanks to an ambitious domestic retrofit programme delivered by a local council.
These upgrades, which are being driven by North West Leicestershire District Council, aim to improve the energy efficiency of homes across the area at benefit to residents.
As well as increasing the energy performance certificate (EPC) rating of the homes to at least band C, the council hopes that the project will support residents through lower energy bills.
As such, it strives to ensure that risks of residents falling into fuel poverty are appropriately alleviated.
Through the Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund Wave 2.2, the council received £852,000 in grant funding which it used to upgrade 134 homes.
Our Salix teams support the administration of funding for this scheme on behalf of the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero.
Homes received a mix of multiple measures, designed to best suit the housing architype and resident needs.
Measures included solid wall insulation, loft insulation, low carbon heating, solar panels, double glazing and ventilation to improve thermal comfort and energy efficiency.
Key lessons learnt during the delivery of the Wave 2.2 scheme have now been embedded into further waves of delivery, allowing the council to significantly scale up its programme at benefit to hundreds more residents.
Through the government’s Warm Homes: Social Housing Fund (Wave 3), it plans to upgrade a further 844 homes.
When complete, this means the council will have upgraded some 978 homes (equating to nearly 25 per cent of its housing stock).
Council sustainability and environment team leader Sarah Southern said: “In Wave 2.2, the communication and education piece was missing to a certain extent initially.
“However, follow-up visits identified the need for this and Wave 3 now has this embedded within the delivery.”
In Wave 2.2, the communication and education piece was missing to a certain extent initially.
However, follow-up visits identified the need for this and Wave 3 now has this embedded within the delivery.
Delivering the Wave 2.2 programme provided valuable learning that has shaped the councils approach to future retrofit delivery.
As well as embedding resident communication and education into Wave 3, the council has strengthened project management, increased oversight of contractors and expanded the resources available to support delivery.
These changes have helped to create a more coordinated approach to delivering retrofit works and are supporting the council as it scales up the programme.
To support residents through the process, the council has introduced a dedicated resident liaison officer position to work closely with households before, during and after installation.
Alongside a digital induction and post-installation information – and an ongoing partnership with Groundwork Five Counties to provide aftercare – the resident liaison officer has helped to improve access to properties, support residents in understanding new technologies.
During Wave 2.2, the council also adapted the programme as delivery progressed, responding to changes in resident participation and tailoring measures to suit the specific requirements of replacement properties.
Careful consideration was also given to the timing of measure install to minimise disruption to residents, with internal works largely coordinated with school holidays.
By embedding these considered approaches and services into future delivery, the council aims to give residents the support they need throughout their retrofit journey - from preparing for installation to understanding how to use their new technologies and maximise the benefits of the improvements.
Watch our short video with councillor Andrew Woodman, council portfolio holder for housing, property and customer services, to learn more about the work taking place and why it’s important for the local community.
