Through this first wave of funding, up to 38,000 of the UK’s worst energy-performing social housing properties will have the chance to receive energy efficiency upgrades, including installation of insulation and more energy efficient doors, windows and heating systems.
In order to qualify the property must have an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating of D or below.
This investment aims to help tenants save around £170 per year on energy bills, while making their homes warmer and reducing carbon emissions.
This is the first wave of funding out of a total £3.8bn to be spent over a 10-year period – with the aim of improving homes across the country to be cheaper to run, more energy efficient and fit for the future.
With homes accounting for 15% of the UK’s carbon emissions, the investment will also help towards eliminating the country’s contribution to climate change by 2050.
Martin Callanan, minister for business, energy and corporate responsibility, said: “Today’s announcement is a vital step forward in eradicating UK fuel poverty and improving the lives and homes of low-income households, all while creating new work for local plumbers, builders and tradespeople who will be building homes fit for our greener future.
“With a real appetite among councils and housing associations to make their homes cheaper to heat and warmer to live in, this investment is putting the power in the hands of the people who know their communities best, allowing the right decisions to be made for each home they manage while ensuring the very best for their tenants and the environment.
“Taken together the funding will ensure that the government is achieving its aspiration to ensure as many homes as possible reach EPC Band C or above by 2035 in a way that is practical, cost effective, and affordable.”
