The Government has released the first £179m as part of the £3.8bn Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund announced in the Heat and Buildings Strategy.

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. This includes fitting external wall and roof insulation, energy efficient doors and windows, heat pumps and solar panels.

Upgrades are expected to be completed by the end of March 2023.

The announcement sets out the 69 projects that have been allocated the financial support in the first wave, with funding allocated to local authorities who, together with social housing providers, will deliver them.

Around 9,000 jobs in the green energy sector will be generated as a result, with the funding expected to deliver carbon emissions savings equivalent to taking up to 6,000 cars off the road in any given year.

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 £3.8bn 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.”

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.”

Tracy Harrison, Chief Executive of Northern Housing Consortium: “Readying our homes to achieve net zero is a key priority for Northern Housing Consortium members, and we therefore welcome the news that Wave 1 of SHDF funding will support the retrofitting of approximately 7,800 Northern homes.

“We urgently need to build on this and look forward to continuing to work with the government to improve the energy efficiency of homes in the North.”

Regional spread of SHDF Wave 1 funding:

  • London, £23,708,238
  • Southwest, £5,024,842
  • Southeast, £8,608,446
  • East of England, £27,323,006
  • West Midlands, £23,208,418
  • East Midlands, £ 27,760,477
  • Northeast, £14,177,002
  • Northwest, £26,309,473
  • Yorkshire and the Humber, £22,573,272