Sustainability in Social Housing Climate Change Partnership 2 February 2011 Martin Thomas

1. Sustainability in Social HousingClimate Change Partnership 2 February 2011Martin Thomas

2. Sustainability “Development which meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs” WWF living planet report

3. UK Policy Framework

4. More numbers…

5. 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

6. 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 How………? • Resource use • Energy • Travel

7. 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

8. 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

9. 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

10. 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

11. Retrofit measures - Policy 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 feasiblewith renewables and/or low carbon district heating Micro gen - Supported by FITs Preparation for climate change - water use, flooding etc 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

12. Retrofit measures - potential • 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 • 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

13. 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 SAP – 46 to 85 – CO2 reduced by 75% • 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.

14. 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

15. 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

16. 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

17. 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

18. 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.

19. Story so far

20. 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

21. Final thoughts… Focus – and Retrofit - is key • 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

22. Thank you Any Questions?