Warm Homes: Social Housing Fund

The Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund (SHDF) now known as Warm Homes: Social Housing Fund is a government initiative aimed at improving the energy efficiency of social housing. 

Stevenage Borough Council has secured £3.85 million through the Government's Warm Homes: Social Housing Fund (Wave 3) programme to improve the energy efficiency of council homes across the town. The council will also contribute £3.15 million, creating a combined investment of approximately £7 million to support the delivery of these improvements.

The programme will deliver energy efficiency upgrades to approximately 379 council homes that currently fall below EPC band C. Improvements may include:

• Cavity wall insulation
• Loft insulation
• External wall insulation
• Solar PV panels
• Improved ventilation systems
• Air source heat pumps and other low-carbon heating technologies

These measures will help make homes warmer, more comfortable and more affordable to heat, while reducing carbon emissions and supporting the council's long-term commitment to improving the quality and sustainability of its housing stock.

Delivery partner

Following a competitive procurement process, Equans has been appointed as the contractor responsible for delivering the Wave 3 retrofit programme on behalf of Stevenage Borough Council.

Equans has a dedicated Resident Liaison Team who will support residents throughout the programme. Where a property has been identified as potentially suitable for energy efficiency improvements, the Resident Liaison Team will contact tenants directly to explain the proposed works, arrange surveys and appointments, and provide information about the installation process.

The Resident Liaison Team will also act as the primary point of contact for residents, handling enquiries relating to proposed retrofit measures, programme timelines, access arrangements, and any concerns residents may have before, during, or after the works.

What happens next?

Works will commence in phases across eligible properties. Residents do not need to apply for the programme. If your home has been identified as suitable for improvements under the Warm Homes: Social Housing Fund Wave 3 programme, either the council or Equans' Resident Liaison Team will contact you directly.

Please note that not all properties will be suitable for every retrofit measure. Recommendations will be based on detailed property surveys and technical assessments to ensure that the most appropriate energy efficiency improvements are installed in each home

Previous successes

The council has already delivered significant improvements through previous government-funded retrofit programmes:

• Wave 1: £1.84 million government grant funding, improving 209 homes.
• Wave 2: £2.62 million government grant funding, improving 237 homes.

Together, these programmes have helped reduce energy consumption, lower carbon emissions and improve living conditions for hundreds of council tenants across the town.

For further information please visit Equans tenant microsite.