665 Older Homes to Receive Energy Efficiency Improvements
The Royal Borough of Greenwich has revealed it is transforming 665 older council homes across the borough as part of a multi-million energy improvements programme. How will this help the borough reach its carbon-neutral target?
The Council homes in Alwold Cresent were built between 1930 and 1949, and the range of energy efficiency improvements they will receive will vary from home to home, but improvements will include new double-glazed window replacements, cavity wall insulation, ventilation upgrades, external wall insulation, loft insulation, and more.
Greenwich has the aim to become carbon-neutral by 2030
Councillor Anthony Okereke, Leader of the Council, explained that the investment will be used to focus on creating better and more environmentally friendly homes for its residents: “We want to improve the lives for our tenants in every way we can and ensure they have access to safe and secure homes that meet their needs.
“As part of this we are proud to have committed to a huge £21 million investment to upgrade some of our older street properties so that tenants can benefit from warmer, more environmentally sustainable homes.”
Continuing, the Councillor added: “Helping to decarbonise our older council properties is one of the main ways we can help to cut carbon emissions in our borough which will contribute to one of our key missions of becoming a carbon-neutral borough by 2030.”
These energy efficiency improvements form part of the Council’s investment in council housing
The retrofit work will be delivered by the Council’s contractor Wates Property Services, and will predominately target street properties in Horn Park, Hornfair, and Charlton Park that currently have an energy performance rating of C or lower.
James Gregg, Managing Director at Wates Property Services, expressed that collaboration will be substantial in creating the homes of the future that the local community needs: “We are hugely proud to be working with the Royal Borough of Greenwich to deliver these upgrades to homes that will cut carbon emissions and fuel bills for residents for years to come.”
Our team will work closely with council colleagues to achieve their net zero goals and create a low carbon future for communities across the borough.
These energy efficiency improvements to homes in the borough form part of the Council’s biggest investment in council housing in a generation through its £430 million capital repairs programme which will also include new or improved kitchens, bathrooms, roofs, and improvements to external blocks and walkways.
The £21 million Council investment includes a £5.3 million grant through the UK Government’s Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund.
An investment like this is needed to ensure that we are utilising the current housing stock we have but transforming it to better benefit the local people who need it the most.
