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More than 100 councils call for £12bn social housing retrofit fund
More than 100 councils have called on the government to invest at least £12bn to upgrade social homes.
More than 100 councils have called on the government to invest at least £12bn to upgrade council homes #UKhousingA cross-party coalition of 112 councils called on the government to fund a ‘Green and Decent Homes Programme’, which would upgrade and modernise social homes in England.
The aim would be to have a single retrofit fund for all social landlords, including councils and housing associations, to replace the current “fragmented” system that involves several grants.
The programme would aim to make social homes safer, healthier and more sustainable for residents, the coalition said, adding that councils currently lack the long-term funding needed to improve homes and meet growing regulatory demands.
The coalition has asked for at least £12bn over five years, along with long-term funding certainty over 20 years.
It also called for funding and delivery to be coordinated through regional strategic authorities such as the West Midlands Combined Authority and Greater Manchester Combined Authority.
For every £1 spent on warming the homes of vulnerable people, there is a £4 return in health benefits, the councils said. Poor housing costs the NHS an estimated £1.4bn each year, according to the Building Research Establishment, while investing in warm, energy-efficient homes could save up to £4bn annually in healthcare and social care costs.
Homes account for 20% of carbon dioxide emissions. Retrofitting them would cut gas demand by 20%, significantly reducing their environmental impact. Retrofitting would also lower household energy bills by an average of £779 per year, and unlock 500,000 green jobs, the councils said.
The plan includes 10 key demands such as: one single, integrated housing standard; a long-term, multiyear capital funding commitment; funding allocated based on need; and strategic investment by landlords focused on clear outcomes.
It also includes a “progressive, ambitious benchmark” to be updated regularly to reflect innovation and best practice; transparent outcomes-based reporting; flexibility for landlords with no arbitrary restrictions; realistic delivery timelines; and investment in replacement homes as part of the standard.
Southwark Council will launch the programme at the House of Lords later today, with speakers including Kieron Williams, leader of Southwark Council; Lord Bird, founder of The Big Issue; and Florence Eshalomi, chair of the Housing, Communities and Local Government Committee.
Mr Williams said: “Britain’s council homes have been improving lives for generations, but many of them were built in a different age and are at risk of coming to the end of their lives.
“Together with over 100 councils, we are calling for a national Green and Decent Homes Programme, which is vital to make these homes fit for the 21st century. It is an investment in our country’s future that will deliver not just better, healthier homes, but jobs, growth and a reduction in carbon emissions, too.”
Tom Hunt, leader of Sheffield City Council, added: “Investment in council housing is not just about shelter. It’s an investment in public health, economic prosperity and environmental sustainability that will improve people’s lives and strengthen the communities they live in.”
The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) was approached for comment.
Last year, Southwark Council published a report, Securing the Future of Council Housing, which was signed by millions of tenants. It called for a new sustainable housing revenue agreement, a Green and Decent Homes Programme and funding for new council homes.
The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government has been approached for comment.
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