Sustainability in Social HousingClimate Change Partnership 2 February 2011Martin Thomas

Sustainability

“Development which meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs”

WWF living planet report

UK Policy Framework

More numbers…

Sustainability & Social Housing

• Soc/Aff Hsg - Still significant numbers – easier to influence

• Concentrations of poverty in affordable housing – affordable warmth

• RSLs often operate in communities where poverty and other social problems are huge issues – community development

• RSLs often have considerable asset base

Source - ONS

What can be done…..

New build•150,000 Soc Hsg target in 4 years

Refurbishment•4m + Existing affordable/social units•25m + Existing homes total

Organisational Footprints

• by 2020 a 26% reduction in carbon

• 80% reduction by 2050

• Housing accounts for 30% of these emissions

• Resource use • Energy • Travel

How………?

Green new build – planning frameworks

Through their strategic housing, planning, regeneration and transport roles, local authorities can encourage developers to build houses:

– With high, preferably carbon neutral, energy standards

– With low carbon / renewable energy sources or community energy schemes

– Using materials with low embodied energy

– In locations and with infrastructure that will encourage walking, cycling and public transport use

New Build - Sustainable Location

• Brownfield site/ Empty commercial• Near transport• Near shops• Near Doctors / Dentist• Near jobs (local

employment/investment)• Near Hospital • Flooding issues• (Schools)• Local waste recycling• Local green recreation

New Build - Well Designed & Well Built

• Radiator TRVs

• UPVC windows & doors

• Good insulation

• Solar Panels

• Green transport – eg: cycle racks

• Good lighting in house & street

• Safe environment

• Water meters, spray taps

• Low flush cisterns

• Drying lines

• Tree shading

• Use local features

Code 3 – 25% CO2 (2006 BR)Based on points, many options..eg:• Onsite micro-generation (PV,

Solar thermal)• Green materials• Water run off• Drying space

New Build - Code 6

Code 6 – Zero Carbon 2016

Continuing debate re cost….

• PV• Solar thermal• Geo-thermal ,Wind generation• Heat recovery• Triple glazing• Water recycling• Smart metering• Hyper insulation and Air

tightness• Controlled ventilation• Smart appliances

Retrofit measures - Policy

Our sustainability strategy

• Reduce environmental impact• Source locally and/or sustainably • Improve awareness• Work with partners• Actively pursue the feasibility of

retrofitting District Heating• Apply Code for Sustainable

Homes principle to refurbishment• Develop Fuel Poverty policy • Adopt cost effective water

management measures• Manage (minimise) waste

sustainably

National – “Warmer Homes, Greener Homes”

By 2015:

Range of energy saving measures – including solid wall insulation where possible

Smart meters

Replace fossil fuel heating – where feasible with renewables and/or low carbon district heating

Micro gen - Supported by FITs

Preparation for climate change - water use, flooding etc

Retrofit measures - potential

• Loft insulation• Cavity wall insulation• Solid wall insulation• Low-emissivity double

glazing/triple glazing• Draught proofing• Cylinder insulation• Condensing boilers• Heating controls• Energy efficient lighting• Energy efficient appliances• Solar water heating• PV• Floor insulation

As New Build….

Reduce Demand for the energy through good design and fabric upgrades.

Increase efficiency of all the machines or equipment in the house.

Reduce carbon intensity of the energy you do need by integrating renewable energy

User Controls…... •turning off or down radiators •Using high efficiency washing machines •Load Shifting•Putting on another jumper•Opening a window

Green Buildings – real world refurbishment

Bracknell Standard

Decent Homes Works

• Double glazing• 2056 “A” rated boilers• Showers over baths• All lighting now CFLs • Grant funded roof and

cavity insulation• Shallow replacement

baths• Low flush toilets• Replacement entrance

doors• Energy advice to

residents• Eco-friendly paint. • Loft insulation in

accordance with current building regulations

• The full length window replaced by low wall & double glazed window • Existing cavity fill replaced • Internal drylining • Loft - 60mm of spray foam insulation and insulated loft hatch• Solar thermal panels and domestic energy management system• Water efficiency - dual flush toilet, low flow taps, small bath• Energy efficient kitchen appliances • Flood risk mitigation - raising the level of electric sockets to 1m • Sustainable urban drainage, permeable paving enables surface

water drainage• Wildlife garden - shrubs provide protection, nesting sites, food

sources, and flowers to provide nectar and pollen.

SAP – 46 to 85 – CO2 reduced by 75%

LED Lighting

• Common Areas at Ladybank

• Part funded by the Energy Savings Trust (70% of materials cost)

• Installation carried out by our own electricians – completed 2 weeks ahead of programme

• Positive feedback from residents – “brighter and safer”

• Lamps have very low running costs and guaranteed for 50,000 hours

Landscape Improvement Programme• Total funding of £120,000 split

between 2009/10 & 2010/11

• Designed to shadow the Estates Improvement Programme

• 8 sites covering all major areas in Bracknell, and including Harmans Water, Little Sandhurst & Owlsmoor

Landscape Improvement Programme Works include:

• Removal of overgrown shrub borders

• Use of colour in the form of new wave plantings of perennials

• Mass planting of bulbs for autumn and spring effect

• Sowing of floral meadow on edges of lawn

• Planting of suitable trees (e.g. multi-stemmed birch

• Putting in benches and litter bins

Advantages

• Well being – colour &more welcoming estate entrances

• Reduction of problems caused by littering

• Lower maintenance

• Move towards self-management (e.g. at High Fields)

• Use of plantings which respond to climate change

Landscape Improvement Programme

Consultation has included:• Setting up Landscape Forum & discussing

details• Presentations to all January Estates

Meeting• Presentation to CIG• Discussions with adjoining residents &

distribution of information leaflets at all sites

Signage (estate)

• Replacement directional signage in Great Hollands (commencing with Ringwood, Ullswater, Underwood and Wordsworth) and Ladybank.

• Replacement block signs.

• Started April 2010.

• Notice boards being provided in 82 blocks.

• Programme to be completed by November 2010.

• Will be maintained by NEAT Team.

Story so far

Average SAP Rating - local

50 55 60 65 70 75

Bracknell Private Rented

Bracknell Ow ner occupier

Bracknell Other RSL

Bracknell Forest Homes

Average SAP Rating - Context

40 45 50 55 60 65 70 75 80

Bracknell Private Rented

Bracknell Owner occupier

Bracknell Other RSL

Bracknell Forest Homes

Average SE 2005 (SEEDA/GOSE)

Average Social Hsg (DECC)

Average Social Hsg (TSA)

Average newbuild England Q1 2010 (CLG)

Independent assessment

Currently voluntary > 1million

homes

Ranking (absolute - not quartile)

Platinum, gold, silver, bronze

HCA and Mayor of London

endorse UKGBC, National

Housing Federation, WWF and

others supports the work

Final thoughts… Thames Gateway 2050 goal, 26million homes need to be refurbished to near

zero carbon 625,000 homes / year …………. 12,000 a week - if we had

started on January 1 2010 fewer than 100 homes in the country which have achieved

this Chief Scientific adviser to Government has stated that; “the

retrofit challenge is the most difficult engineering challenge this country has faced since WWII

Reached the limit of standard measures Social landlords are leading Camden - Victorian home, built in 1850, 80% less carbon

(9500 other similar units) Hyde Housing Association refurbished a terraced house to

80% less carbon (retrofit and replicate) While these exemplar projects are useful these types of works

are needed on a grand scale Existing Homes Alliance - 60% less currently costs £20,000 -

80% less £40,000.  Some potential funding mechanisms – FITs and Pay as you

save

Focus – and Retrofit - is key

Thank you

Any Questions?