Council secures £7.1m in push to make homes more energy-efficient

A local authority has secured funding to improve the energy-efficiency of its social housing stock.

Lewisham council was granted £7.1million as part of the government’s Warm Homes funding programme.

The cash injection will be used to retrofit up to 800 council homes with better insulation and energy-efficient heating to reduce bills, improve conditions and cut carbon emissions from wasted energy.

The upgrades will focus on homes that are currently harder to keep warm, especially those identified in the councils recent housing survey as having low energy ratings, damp, or mould issues. 

Councillor Will Cooper, cabinet member for better homes, neighbourhoods and homelessness, said: “This funding will make a real day-to-day improvement to residents’ quality of life. 

“As with many public services, we are facing stark choices as we struggle to keep up with rising costs and increasing demand. 

“This funding is an absolute lifeline for residents of our worst performing buildings, and we have already committed to match the amount from our own capital investment programme. This means over £16million has now been earmarked specifically for energy efficiency improvements in our stock.”

The government funding is part of a national £1.29billion investment across the UK as part of its Warm Homes Plan. 

The estimated cost of fully retrofitting all homes in Lewisham is £3.2billion. Lewisham council has committed an additional £9.1million in funding for the project.

Pictured top: Up to 800 council homes will be upgraded with better insulation and energy-efficient heating (Picture: Lewisham council)