Housing Industry Leaders Issue 14

INE eMAGAZ

ISSUE 14

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How Passivhaus Standards Are Leading the Way in Sustainable Housing Initiatives Also In This Issue: Consultation Analysis: What the Good Landlord Charter Could Bring to Manchester Page 04 One-in-Four Councils Unable to Enforce Legal Standards in Private-Rented Homes Page 12 February Edition

HOUSING INDUSTRY LEADERS

ISSUE 14

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How Passivhaus Standards Are Leading the Way in Sustainable Housing Initiatives

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Consultation Analysis: What the Good Landlord Charter Could Bring to Manchester

Building Better Mental Health in the Construction Sector

One-in-Four Councils Unable to Enforce Legal Standards in Private-Rented Homes

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Safeguarding Heritage in the Face of Decarbonisation

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Podcast Write-Up: The Value of Local Heat Networks in Scotland

Public Sector Round Up

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Chelsea Bailey Multi Media Journalist

Olivia Staveley Graphic Designer

Hannah Wintle Multi Media Journalist

FOREWORD As a new dawn emerges for the vision of UK housing, recent reports and policy announcements are welcomed news for all working in the industry. Housing Industry Leaders explores what this means for housebuilders and tenants in the UK. In this issue, Housing Industry Leaders analyses how one-in-four councils are unable to enforce legal standards in private-rented homes, what the good landlord charter could bring to Manchester, and the need to safeguard heritage in the face of decarbonisation.

With a specific focus on how the social housing sector can expand its housing stock faster, Housing Industry Leaders dives into the most topical discussions and debates about the future of the housing industry.

“Implementing Passivhaus standards leaves the sector in an interesting position”

IN THIS ISSUE

Floyd March Editor f.march@peloton-events.co.uk

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ISSUE 14

Consultation Analysis: What the Good Landlord Charter Could Bring to Manchester After Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham launched the consultation on the Greater Manchester Good Landlord Charter, Housing Industry Leaders analyses the finer details of the consultation.

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This work has, in part, been driven by the devastating conclusions of the inquest that followed Awaab Ishak’s death.

A two-year-old boy died because of the quality of his home, and we recognised this had to be the moment when things changed.

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The charter is the first of its kind in the UK, bringing together landlords and renters to improve the standards of homes in social housing and the private rented sector.

It aims to recognise and develop best practice, boost tenant confidence in the quality of good rental properties and provide an ambitious new voluntary standard for landlord excellence, no matter what kind of housing they let.

The Good Landlord Charter sets out a vision of better renting, which meets the following characteristics: Affordable – a tenant should understand how their rent and other charges are set and should not be ripped-off.

Inclusive – a tenant should not have a worse renting experience because of who they are.

Private and secure – a tenant should be reasonably free to enjoy their home and make it their own.

Responsive – a landlord should respond satisfactorily to requests for repairs, correspondence and complaints.

Safe and decent – a tenant should be able to live free from physical or psychological discomfort in their home.

Supportive – a tenant should have essential information about renting their home and be helped to access extra support if they need it.

Well managed – a landlord should be competent or use a competent managing agent.

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The plans for the charter follow a similar model to the Greater Manchester Good Employment Charter, launched in 2019, which has now engaged with more than a thousand employers across the city-region, helping them go above the bare legal minimum employment offer.

The Good Landlord Charter will leverage public funding and other key devolved powers in a similar way. For example, when public bodies are involved in seeking rented homes – such as for use as temporary accommodation – they could require those bidding to sign up to the Charter.

Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham, said: “I’m clear that driving up the quality of rented housing is one of my key priorities.

We know your home has a huge impact on so many aspects of life, from your physical and mental health, to your safety and security.

BY FLOYD MARCH

Residents living in properties where the landlord refuses to engage with local bodies or the Charter will be empowered with the right to request a Greater Manchester Property Check.

This will be underpinned by stronger, multidisciplinary inspection and enforcement capability to carry out the checks and issue notices where standards remain unacceptable, with investment of £3.5million to support local authorities to deliver this.

In Greater Manchester’s private rented sector alone, the Government currently spends more than half a billion pounds annually through the housing element of Universal Credit or Housing Benefit, with no assurance about the quality of the homes that landlords are providing. When taking into account social housing as well, that number rises to £1.5 billion.

“Today, I’m calling on all renters and landlords in Greater Manchester to get involved in this consultation. I believe this charter will be good for tenants who currently have no way of knowing whether a landlord is decent or not; and good for the many landlords doing the right thing and struggling to differentiate themselves from the disreputable end of the market.

“The truth is, when we get housing right, we also potentially save billions in public money currently spent dealing with the social crises that come from poor housing situations.”

Research commissioned as part of the development of the Good Landlord Charter found that over three quarters of private tenants say accreditation would make a difference to their likelihood of renting from a particular landlord.

www.newstatesman.com Photo by Paul Ellis/afp via Getty Images

75% OF PRIVATE RENTERS FACED MAINTENANCE ISSUES OVER A 12 MONTH PERIOD

CATEGORY ONE HAZARDS PROMINENT ACROSS GREATER MANCHESTER

The survey also revealed that three-quarters of private tenants experienced a maintenance issue in their property within the last year, including two in five that have experienced damp and mould and nearly one in three a broken boiler or heating. When maintenance problems have been experienced, two in five private tenants have been left dissatisfied with the outcome.

In 2019, according to Government data, almost 12 percent of all homes in Greater Manchester had a category one hazard – this means a serious and immediate risk to a person’s health and safety – and over 17 percent did not meet the current Decent Homes Standard. In the private rented sector, 15 percent of homes had a serious health and safety hazard and over 26 percent are non-decent.

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Greater Manchester’s Trailblazer devolution deal contains a commitment to work with Government to explore how the welfare, housing and health and social care systems can be reconfigured to help drive improvements to the renting experience and the quality of homes in the private rented sector.

Mark Slater, Chair, Rochdale Branch, Greater Manchester Tenants Union, said: “The Good Landlord Charter can be one of the tools we use in Greater Manchester to drive up standards in all forms of housing. Starting with the principle that charter members must go further than their legal requirements to be considered, this can help those landlords who provide a good service and quality homes to distinguish themselves from the many careless and rogue private landlords.

“The scope of the charter has been expanded to ensure housing associations, councils, and temporary and specialist accommodation providers deliver appropriate standards in their homes, prompted by the preventable death of Awaab Ishak.

“We are pleased that Andy Burnham and the Greater Manchester Combined Authority are committed to improving enforcement action across the region which is desperately needed.

We need to get serious about tackling the housing crisis, and ensuring tenants can live in decent, safe secure homes they can afford, and are treated with dignity and respect, regardless of who their landlord is, and what type of home they live in.”

Charlie Norman, Chair of Greater Manchester Housing Providers (GMHP), said: “The Greater Manchester Housing Providers partnership (GMHP) has been privileged to work alongside tenants and partners within the Coordinating Group to develop the GM Good Landlord Charter – this consultation is so important to see if what has been drafted so far feels right.

“At the heart of what we do as social housing providers is the belief that everyone in Greater Manchester has the right to a decent, healthy, safe and affordable home – places where we can grow up, get on in life and age well.

Having a home is just so important to all of us.”

“Between us, our members own or manage over 250,000 affordable homes in the city region, we build one third of all new homes 6

and we have a shared commitment to ensuring that everyone can expect respectful, inclusive and fair services. As a partnership of the willing, we absolutely welcome the opportunity to work with the Mayor, wider stakeholders and, most importantly, tenants and residents across Greater Manchester to help further develop this charter – the first of its kind in the UK, and hopefully something that will make a positive and lasting impact for all tenants, residents and landlords across the region.”

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We need to get serious about tackling the housing crisis, and ensuring tenants can live in decent, safe secure homes they can afford, and are treated with dignity and respect, regardless of who their landlord is, and what type of home they live in.

Chris Norris, Director of Policy and Campaigns at the National Residential Landlords Association (NRLA), said: “The NRLA is committed to supporting the provision of high quality homes. A positive working relationship between households and their landlord is both mutually beneficial and essential for sustaining a healthy private rented sector.

“As consultation begins on the Good Landlord Charter in Greater Manchester, we are keen to provide the perspective of residential landlords and do our part to ensure that the development of any new system works to support landlords as well as tenants.

Working together with local government as well as other stakeholders will ensure that Manchester’s rental system thrives.”

The Good Landlord Charter has been drafted and developed with a coordinating group, which includes Greater Manchester Housing Providers, Greater Manchester Tenants Union, Greater Manchester Student Assembly, Manchester Student Homes, National Residential Landlords Association and Shelter.

Greater Manchester Housing Providers have already committed to signing up to the Charter, meaning thousands of tenants are set to benefit from improved standards.

In addition to this, there are wider Government reforms, with the Renters Reform Bill in the report stage in the House of Commons before the third reading in parliament.

The Good Landlord Charter is out for public consultation from 10am on 8th January 2024 until 12pm on 26th February 2024.

To respond to the consultation online or download a copy of the consultation document (including in Easy Read format), please visit www.gmconsult.org.

For more information on the development of the Good Landlord Charter and to view supporting documents, please visit https:// www.greatermanchester-ca.gov.uk/what-we-do/planning-andhousing/good-landlord-charter.

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ISSUE 14

Building Better Mental Health in the Construction Sector

In recent years, pressure to deliver homes against the backdrop of the UK’s housing crisis has continued to mount, and those responsible for building them are suffering from an increased mental burden.

With many construction workers reporting the detrimental effects of this working culture, mental health support is becoming increasingly vital to maintain the workforce required to deliver against UK housing targets.

Meeting housing targets throughout the country is a demanding job, and one reliant on the nation’s labourers’ ability to work quickly and to a high standard, while often in challenging conditions.

Housing Industry Leaders spoke to Sarah Baldry of AI mental health app Wysa, to examine mental health trends and statistics coming out of the construction sector, and to understand how improving the care provision available can benefit the wider housing sector.

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BY HANNAH WINTLE

CONSTRUCTION WORKERS ARE AT GREAT RISK OF MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES Alarming statistics compiled by Wysa from CIOB and Mind Matter paint a harrowing picture of the state of mental health in the construction industry as it currently stands:

WORK RELATED PRESSURES DIRECTLY IMPACT MENTAL HEALTH For many in the construction industry, poor mental health directly stems from the stressful experiences they encounter at work.

A University of Leeds study in 2021 sought to understand the work-related factors that contribute to this issue.

It found that unmanageable workloads, pressure to deliver projects on time, and work inspections, were just a few factors that can lead to a decline in mental health.

70% have symptoms of depression

Highlighting these challenges, Sarah explained: “There’s a huge pressure to deliver a project on time, on deadline, to a high standard, and then there’s the next job booked in.”

“The second most high risk-factor is isolation due to work hours and location, that’s very common for construction workers.

87% have symptoms of anxiety

97% are stressed

“There can also be workplace bullying within that masculine environment. Some people see it as a sort of banter, but it hurts people as well and causes people mental health challenges.”

In addition to these factors, exposure to trauma at work can also have a harmful impact on construction workers. With rates of suicide and mental health issues high within the industry, combined with the risk of occupational hazards such as injury, workers may also find themselves struggling to come to terms with their colleagues’ hardships, too.

Since COVID, there has been this acceptance Tragically, two construction workers take that mental health their own life every day, and over a quarter have considered suicide. Of those who have considered taking their own life or have known affects people in someone who did, 90% did not seek support. the workplace, it Moreover, construction workers with mental affects the work, health symptoms are five times more likely to have four or more injuries, three times and it affects more likely to have pain in multiple areas, and nearly two-and-a-half times more likely to everybody. underperform due to pain.

3.7% x the national average rate of suicide

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Wysa is an AI app that offers mental health support through the three components of self-help tools, chat functionality, and an S.O.S. pathway which is triggered when the user says something suggesting they are at risk, prompting a response which urges them to contact a helpline.

We need those workers to be able to deliver the stock of housing that’s so in demand, so it’s an important issue at policy level even, to have a mentally well workforce in the housing space.

Sarah said: “Because they’re dealing with heavy equipment, up ladders and things, they see their workmates get into accidents where they can lose limbs and lose their livelihoods, so there is that exposure to trauma often.

“I have spoken to construction companies in the US and that the impact of losing a team member has ripple effects for years amongst the team in terms of depression and the burden of ‘why didn’t I see it coming?’, it doesn’t go away.”

WYSA SEEK TO OFFER MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT THROUGH THEIR AI APP Historically, mental health issues have been stigmatised and largely ignored in the workplace, though Sarah pointed out a change in attitude since COVID, which saw people isolated, losing out on their income, or experiencing grief.

With more people accepting that anybody could be struggling with mental health issues, the attitude towards getting help has started to shift, with employers increasingly exploring ways to support their employees.

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Being 100% anonymous, users often open up to their AI chat companion up to three times faster than they would with a therapist.

Wysa also offers users the chance to assess their own needs and come to terms with the possibility that they might need human help, without the risk associated with seeking this out initially.

Making this support accessible and preventative rather than reactionary encourages construction workers to build up their resilience and take an active look into their own mental health without having to come forward and admit they need help.

GOOD MENTAL HEALTH WILL HAVE A POSITIVE IMPACT ON THE WIDER HOUSING SECTOR By giving employers and construction workers the tools to address mental health issues, the housing sector at large will feel the positive impacts stemming from a reduced rate of absenteeism, worker retention, and improved quality of work.

Emphasising the correlation between mental health and housing quotas, Sarah said: “If you’ve got members of the team that literally cannot show up to site because they’re suffering with pain or they’re just so down

or stressed that they just need to take a couple of days out, every man day that is lost has an impact on how many houses you can build, it is literally a maths game.”

She also highlighted staff turnover, explaining that many construction workers reach their limit and choose to leave the industry, or in some cases, the country, leaving the construction sector struggling for numbers.

For those that do manage to go to work every day, poor mental health can still impact the quality of projects being delivered due to lower levels of concentration and in some cases, missed deadlines.

Sarah said: “The knock-on effect for the construction industry isn’t just losing lads, it’s also the impact on the projects themselves.

“You can calculate the cost of poor mental health on a project in terms of the impact of absenteeism, staff turnover, and productivity.

Typically, if you can improve mental health

scores, it’s around a £500 return on average per employee.

“So, although there is an outlay in putting tools and support in place financially, the return on that investment tends to be very, very high.

Just in terms of improving the productivity of each individual, improving absenteeism and helping keep people productive in work.”

In what can be such a physically demanding job, poor mental health has frequently been overlooked as a serious risk to construction workers. More recently, the need for mental health provision is being recognised, and employers are exploring ways to offer appropriate support.

Addressing issues at the foundation of the industry certainly promotes positive effects that can be felt throughout the nation, but perhaps more importantly, ensuring construction workers aren’t suffering in silence can have an immense impact on the individual lives that the UK housing sector relies on.

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ISSUE 14

ONE-IN-FOUR COUNCILS UNABLE TO ENFORCE LEGAL STANDARDS IN PRIVATE-RENTED HOMES One-in-four of England’s councils is failing to enforce legal standards for energy efficiency in private rental housing, leaving tens of thousands of tenants in illegally cold and drafty homes, according to a new report.

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BY FLOYD MARCH

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It is crucial for the government to provide greater support and collaboration to address these barriers and drive meaningful change for renters.

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The survey of officers from across around 60 local authorities suggests 39% are proactively enforcing Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards (MEES) regulations that require private rental properties to have an EPC rating of E or above. But 25% of officers surveyed work for councils that are not enforcing the standards at all, leaving tenants with no way of ensuring that their home meets the required standard.

As many as 1,192,000 private renters live in fuel poverty, with an estimated 97,000 of them living in housing that falls below the current EPC E threshold. All 1,192,000 live in houses that are below EPC C, which was the level the Government had proposed raising the threshold to, before scrapping that plan last year.

The new report by the Association of Decentralised Energy’s (ADE) ACE Research warns that even under existing regulations, let alone more stringent ones, improvements in energy efficiency regulations are unenforceable unless councils are given more funding and council officers receive better training.

RESEARCH METHODOLOGY INCLUSIVE OF ALL TYPES OF LOCAL AUTHORITIES ACE Research surveyed officers from the local authorities to establish the extent to which they understand and are able to enforce the regulations on private landlords.

The survey suggests one-in-five councils carry out only responsive enforcement, meaning they only inspect properties when they receive complaints about damp, mould or other conditions.

The researchers said that while many council officers are doing their best under the constraints of tight budgets, lack of data and short staffing, much more funding is needed. Adequate funding for local authorities would enable them to identify properties that are illegally cold and leaky, and work with landlords to bring them up to improved standards.

Steph Hacker, Senior Researcher at ACE Research and one of the project authors, commented: “Our findings indicate that local authorities face significant challenges in effectively enforcing MEES regulations and promoting energy efficiency. The lack of resources and low penalties have already badly hindered progress in some areas.

“It is crucial for the government to provide greater support and collaboration to address these barriers and drive meaningful change for renters – energy efficiency is a vital part of driving down bills, making sure that homes are warm and comfortable, and reducing emissions from our building stock to tackle climate change.”

The report offered extensive recommendations, including a detailed list specifically for Local Authorities and how to implement MEES. The first section of these recommendations focussed on the resource allocation and funding aspect to implementing MEES. It stated the need to: “Advocate for adequate resources and funding from the central government to effectively support MEES compliance and enforcement activities within local authorities.”

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Action must be taken to ensure that private landlords upgrade their properties.

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Those who were able to proactively enforce MEES regulations were often able to proactively enforce as part of a funded project. A lack of funding may lead to reactive enforcement, as proactive councils became reactive once funding ended.

“The most common process for councils engaging in proactive enforcement involved seeking out non-compliant F and G rated properties, engaging the landlord, raising awareness of the infringement, and then issuing fines if no action is taken.”

Allocating dedicated resources for enforcement, data provision, and information sharing among different teams within the council was noted throughout the research.

Based on the survey: “LAOs involved in proactive enforcement had dedicated teams and staff members responsible for enforcement. The success of pilot projects also indicated a council’s capacity to continue proactive enforcement.”

The final part of this segment explored the need to: “Foster collaboration between LAOs and legal teams to ensure effective enforcement.”

Other recommendations for resources and funding included the need to seek funding for access to housing and energy data tools to aid in targeting properties for interventions, funding opportunities from referrals into grant funding schemes and charging landlords for enforcement cases, and to consider the role of the third sector in supporting MEES compliance and enforcement activities and ensure funding is available for their involvement.

In a three pronged method of implementing MEES, the reported higlhighted the need to develop clear protocols and procedures for identifying breaches, taking appropriate action, and gathering evidence during MEES enforcement. Based on the survey: “Clear roles and responsibilities played a role in a council’s capability to proactively enforce.”

The report added: “Establish a benchmark for proactivity by identifying what constitutes proactive MEES enforcement and provide a guide on conducting inspections, issuing notices, and handling non-compliance cases.

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Matt Copeland, Head of Policy at fuel poverty charity National Energy Action (NEA), added: “Private renters have struggled most through the energy crisis, spending £2 billion more a year as a whole. Progress needs to be made, both to enforce existing standards, but also to tighten them so that renters can live in warmer, cheaper-to-heat homes.

“The UK Government has rowed back on its commitments in this area, but action must be taken to ensure that private landlords upgrade their properties. If they don’t, we fear that renters could remain exposed to the cold at home for years to come.”

Alastair Mumford, Programme Director at the MCS Foundation, which funded the research, said: “The barriers faced by local authorities in enforcing energy efficiency standards mean renters are living in homes that are cold, leaky, and unacceptably expensive to heat.

“For renters who are unlucky enough to live in an area where the council does not undertake enforcement at all, they have no recourse to ensure that their home meets legal standards.

“Providing councils with the resources they need to enforce these standards is not only essential to prevent the worst cases of damp and mould, it will also mean greater energy security, lower bills and greener housing.”

Knowledge Expansion and Understanding: 1. Build on the work started by ACE-R to provide comprehensive training programs and resources on MEES regulations, legislation, enforcement processes, low-carbon heating options, insulation measures, and energy efficiency improvements.

2. Organise workshops, seminars, and webinars to enhance officers’ understanding and keep them updated with the latest developments in the field.

3. Encourage officers to pursue relevant certifications or qualifications to strengthen their expertise.

Knowledge of Regulations and Future Developments: 1. Further develop channels for officers to stay up to date with the latest regulations, legislation, and potential changes related to MEES. 2. Share information on future minimum EPC standards, exemptions, and the relevance of EPCs in different scenarios.

3. Facilitate regular communication and knowledge sharing between LAOs and relevant government agencies or industry bodies.

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ISSUE 14

How Passivhaus Standards Are Leading the Way in Sustainable Housing Initiatives Responding to the current climate emergency by building new homes that meet the highest energy efficiency standards is crucial. With the Passivhaus standard quickly becoming a gold standard for energy efficiency, more and more councils are looking towards it to help deliver new homes.

Although many certified Passivhaus buildings have already been completed in the country, the adoption of the standard has been quickly gathering pace in recent years. An energy performance gap is the difference between the energy efficiency levels that a building is designed to achieve and what it actually achieves. Passivhaus has become a proven method of addressing the performance gap often seen in traditional builds, as it can operate precisely as predicted at the design stage.

THE PROJECT’S FOCUS IS HELPING TO LOWER FUEL BILLS FOR TENANTS JDDK Architects is currently in the process of delivering a Passivhaus project in partnership with South Tyneside Homes (on behalf of South Tyneside Council). The project focuses on enabling occupants to benefit from high levels of thermal comfort, better air quality, and lower fuel bills.

Located at Reynolds Avenue in South Shields, the project consists of 17 energy-efficient terraced homes for social rent. These are being built for and funded by South Tyneside Council.

Housing Industry Leaders spoke to Adam Vaughan, Director and Certified Passivhaus Designer at JDDK Architects about the project.

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He began by explaining what South Tyneside Council’s aims were for the project: “The brief from our client is to design these to meet the Passivhaus standard, which is a low energy building standard providing a framework for designing and building comfortable and energy efficient homes.”

PASSIVHAUS IS A KEY COMPONENT IN HELPING SOUTH TYNESIDE COUNCIL REACH CARBON NEUTRAL JDDK Architects was appointed by South Tyneside Homes in 2021 to assist with the delivery of several housing sites across the county.

On the importance of the project and providing support for local councils such as South Tyneside Council, Adam expressed that the shared goal was carbon neutrality: “We knew that South Tyneside Council had set their own commitment to become carbon neutral by 2030 and believed that Passivhaus would become a key component of this.”

To help the council on its journey to becoming carbon neutral, Adam added that JDDK Architects felt that this project was the perfect opportunity to focus on sharing its existing expertise: “The partnership has also allowed us to share knowledge across a number of schemes. The Reynolds Avenue development hadn’t happened in a vacuum, and we’ve used earlier framework sites as a means of preparing the ground.”

As an example, JDDK Architects is trialling air-tightness solutions on a current site so that the construction team can become familiar with the air-tightness standards expected with Passivhaus.

In addition, to ensure that knowledge sharing is kept a priority, JDDK Architects is offering free Passivhaus feasibility studies for every new site and has given continuing professional development presentations to the staff at South Tyneside Homes to help them give Passivhaus training to their teams in preparation.

Bringing the residents on this journey is also needed to ensure that knowledge sharing is a focus throughout the project’s process. This is essential in boosting the confidence among tenants in a new standard they may not have heard of before the project.

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BY CHELSEA BAILEY

“Passivhaus should be seen as the norm and not a gold standard.”

Adam Vaughan, Director and Certified Passivhaus Designer at JDDK Architects 17

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More and more architects are becoming familiar with its complexities, and there is nothing that most capable contractors can’t handle.

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Adam Vaughan, Director and Certified Passivhaus Designer at JDDK Architects

JDDK Architects is making sure that the process for the residents is as easy as possible, Adam stated: “We will be providing occupants with information on how to use the various technologies incorporated into their new homes. However, the emphasis will be on simplicity. The systems should look after themselves and should only require annual landlord maintenance visits.”

DELIVERING PASSIVHAUS HOMES COST-EFFECTIVELY IS A BARRIER The many technologies that will be incorporated into the new homes could help residents benefit from homes with low fuel bills, excellent internal air quality, and high levels of thermal comfort.

Adam said that this will be achieved through: “High fabric standards, triple glazed windows, mechanical ventilation with heat recovery, and air source heat pumps. We’re also working with the M&E consultant to review the additional advantages of adding PV panels and home batteries.”

Continuing, he expressed that building homes to a Passivhaus standard doesn’t just provide residents with benefits, but landlords will experience these benefits too: “Saving on energy bills improves affordability for occupants and reduces rent arrears. Landlords will also be offering healthy homes without risk of condensation, damp and mould.”

THE PASSIVHAUS STANDARD IS BECOMING MORE COMMON IN THE HOUSING SECTOR By building to the high standards that Passivhaus requires, homes will be futureproofed, with results seen such as greater longevity and durability.

Adam highlighted that to see more Passivhaus projects become a reality, the key barrier

facing builders looking towards the standard is to establish that the homes will be delivered with cost in mind.

He said: “A challenge for us is offering Passivhaus homes in a cost-effective manner.

A key measure of success for us will be whether our client wants to build the next site to the same standard. Much of our work is focussed on developing home designs that are buildable, cost-effective, and simple for occupants to operate.”

To maximise opportunities for cost efficiency and to see Passivhaus become the norm, key decisions need to be made at the earliest stage possible.

Adam recommended that those who are looking at building to the Passivhaus standard, should do it and that it is simpler and more effective than it looks on the surface: “There is nothing to be afraid of with the Passivhaus standard. It’s becoming more common than you may think, and it’s one of the most reliable methods we have of delivering highperforming low-energy buildings.”

Securing the Passivhaus standard as a norm will require more projects to showcase its potential and how it will help the housing sector to reach its net zero targets. It is essential that the teamwork between clients, designers, and contractors is maintained; that knowledge is shared and expanded on; and that the local community is brought on the journey from the very first step.

Securing the Passivhaus standard as a norm will require more projects to showcase its potential and how it will help the housing sector to reach its net zero targets. It is essential that the teamwork between clients, designers, and contractors is maintained; that knowledge is shared and expanded on; and that the local community is brought on the journey from the very first step.

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ISSUE 14

Safeguarding Heritage in the Face of Decarbonisation The UK’s rich heritage is proudly displayed throughout the nation in the shape of listed buildings, conservation areas, and historic homes, but as the task to decarbonise the nation’s housing stock picks up pace, attention has turned to the future of these properties.

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BY HANNAH WINTLE

“Our historic homes are the jewel in the crown of this country’s heritage and must be protected.”

Baroness Penn, Minister for Housing and Communities

With nearly six million homes in the UK constructed before 1919, the retrofit conversation must include historic homes if they are to survive in the long-term.

Now it is hoped that this review, supported by Historic England, will remove barriers when it comes to making energy improvements on historic homes, while preserving their beauty and character for generations to come.

To this end, the government have published plans to drive energy efficiency in these homes, with a goal to preserve their beautiful and historic features while cutting energy bills and supporting the strive for net zero.

THERE IS A SPECIFIC SKILLS GAP WHEN RETROFITTING HISTORIC HOMES

The review, which was published in early January, outlines its commitments surrounding planning, local authority skills, training, and capacity, guidance and information, construction industry skills, training and capacity, and affordability and financial incentives.

Retrofitting historic homes presents a unique set of challenges that differentiate them, sometimes greatly, from the methods utilised in the retrofit of more modern homes.

Moreover, these specific properties require a sensitive approach, often making them a more costly endeavour due to the specific skills and materials required.

These include: · A consultation on new national development management policy specially for historic buildings, ensuring greater certainty and consistency in decisions. · Consulting on the greater use of Listed Building Consent Orders to support building improvements, removing the need to submit individual listed building consent applications. · Developing clearer guidance for historic homeowners on improving energy efficiency and supporting the construction industry to better deliver retrofitting services. · Consulting on reforms to Energy Performance Certificates to ensure they are accurate, reliable and trustworthy.

(Source: GOV.UK)

As it stands, owners of energy-inefficient homes built pre-1919 paying an average of £428 a year more on energy bills, partly due to the lengthy process of getting planning permission on energy upgrades.

The construction methods and technologies used in housebuilding have evolved over the years, something which now must be addressed in the approach to retrofit. As the UK strives to equip more workers with retrofit skills, it is important that we also have a workforce capable of delivering sustainability measures in older homes that require unique practices.

To Samantha Dixon, Associate and Accredited Conservation Architect at JDDK Architects, this presents an opportunity to enhance the capabilities of the UK’s construction sector: “A huge benefit of the efficiency drive will be the upskilling and training for the construction industry workforce.

“There’s currently an unprecedented skills gap and workforce shortage in the heritage sector, as the materials and techniques required for retrofitting historic homes differs from those required for a standard retrofit. We have often found on projects we have worked on in the heritage sector that materials have to be omitted due to the lack of contractors that are trained to install it.

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“Both the lack of availability of skilled workers and the scarcity of traditional materials have played key roles in driving up costs for homeowners. The VAT incentives discussed should help to tackle affordability, which can be the biggest factor for our clients when deciding on what energy efficiency measures to implement. Increasing local authority heritage specialism will also benefit decision makers to determine applications quicker and more confidently, and improve consistency between local authorities.”

Developing these skills is essential, as, in the name of true sustainability, delivering energy upgrades in these homes is ultimately more beneficial than demolishing and rebuilding.

PRESERVING BEAUTY IN THE STRIVE FOR NET ZERO Through the review, the government seeks to ensure that any energy improvements made on heritage properties are in keeping with their aesthetic so as to preserve the historic environment of the country, which is said to be of importance for the economy, tourism, and community health and wellbeing.

This is supported by Historic England’s 2022 survey, which revealed that 81% of owners and occupiers of listed buildings and buildings in conservation areas agreed that consent is important to protect the special architectural and historic character of the listed properties.

As such, external measures such as solar panels and heat pumps require planning

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permission to install, though the review recognises that this process can be streamlined.

Josh Raffo, commercial director at Thrift Energy, highlighted that internal measures can do a lot to make a listed property more energy efficient, though these depend on the way the building was initially constructed.

He said: “While listed properties and homes located in conservation areas require planning consent for retrofit measures that are visible externally, solar PV is often approved under permitted development if it is installed on roofs that do not face a highway.

“There is also plenty of scope to reduce a property’s energy consumption by improving thermal performance with insulation. Cavity wall insulation is not suitable if the property was built before cavity wall construction became commonplace, but loft, room-in-roof, underfloor, and internal wall insulation are all great ways to dramatically reduce heat loss, thereby reducing the amount of energy needed to keep a property at comfortable temperature.

“It’s important to work with a retrofit specialist who can advise on the most suitable measures for the individual property and an insulation product compatible with heritage design and construction.”

Ultimately, the goal is to preserve these buildings for the enjoyment of future generations. As Anna Swaithes, Head of Sustainability at The Crown Estate, said:

“Historic buildings form an important part of our shared cultural heritage in the UK. However, we must acknowledge the challenges that they pose as we work to decarbonise our built environment in line with our net zero goals.”

“At The Crown Estate, we are responsible for the preservation of some of the nation’s finest buildings and are actively exploring ways to protect and restore them so that they contribute to a net zero future. This was the key principle behind our Heritage and Carbon report – in partnership with Grosvenor, Historic England, the National Trust and Peabody – examining the skills gap that needs to be resolved if we are to retrofit these buildings at pace.

“We welcome proposals and approaches to improve the energy efficiency of all historic buildings, while safeguarding their cultural and social value.”

In highlighting and addressing obstacles such as skills and planning barriers, the review hopes to bring historic homes into the present day, supporting them as they play their role in the strive for net zero, all while protecting their cultural value.

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PODCAST WRITE UP

ISSUE 14

The Value of Local Heat Networks in Scotland Duncan Smith, Head of Energy and Sustainability at River Clyde Homes

HOW CAN SCOTLAND SOLVE A PROBLEM LIKE DECARBONISING ITS SOCIAL HOUSING? It's a big question, isn't it? And it's the question that I think probably many asset managers within social housing are asking themselves on a daily basis, whether it's in Scotland or the wider UK. I think what we have to do, first of all, decarbonising our homes, we have to take into account the fact that we serve a customer base which is not the same as an owneroccupied customer base. If we want to decarbonise our homes and we want to do that really easily without thinking about the cost for the end user, then we can electrify heat, can’t we? We can electrify heat and we can take out gas boilers and put electricity in, but that comes at a huge cost in terms of your energy bills.

So what we have to think about very cleverly and strategically and through partnership working is: How do we think about decarbonising our homes through reducing the demand for heating so that when you electrify heat, you need less of it so that you are not disadvantaged? Or: How do we actually think about getting involved within the energy market? What I mean by that is the elephant in the room in a lot of conversations I have is that we as social landlords talk about how we reduce that demand. How do we insulate our homes to the point where they need a very small amount of energy?

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WHAT ROLE COULD DISTRICT HEATING NETWORKS PLAY IN DEVELOPING A NEW ECONOMIC MODEL IN SCOTLAND? This is a great question, because I think that we look at heating and housing in a kind of silo, we look at it as a market. But when you go to places like Copenhagen, you realise the broader social economic benefits that district heating can bring.

One of the big issues we have, without trying to put the fear of God into listeners, is the food production that we have in the UK and the strain that it will come under over the next 20 years because of climate change.

And I think what you have in district heating is a fantastic opportunity, especially in urban areas, to use excess heat to potentially power things like vertical farming, where you are able to grow things without the requirement of weather to behave itself, because we know that it’s not, the climate is changing as we know. 25 degrees in London in October, that’s not right.

So how does that affect farmers? Well, it’s obviously very negative. And I think what you can do through economic models of district heating is you can affect other industries in a really positive way. For me, vertical farming is a great opportunity and it’s also a really great opportunity for how not-for-profit organisations can provide heat to maybe not economically viable, but socially viable projects.

HIL

SERIES 2, EPISODE 7

HOW CAN WE PRODUCE HEAT LOCALLY AND ENSURE THAT INVESTMENT GOES BACK INTO COMMUNITIES?

CAN YOU GIVE US A LITTLE BIT OF INSIGHT INTO HOW PRODUCING HEAT LOCALLY WILL DIRECTLY ADDRESS FUEL POVERTY?

I think that’s a crucial question, and I think that’s about governance. Here’s the thing: the technology exists. We can do this. It is done, and has been done in Scandinavia for decades, you know, 50 years, 100 years actually, in some places. The technology exists. We can do it.

Yeah, sure. I mean, I think the first thing is to see what are we dealing with just now? From a policy perspective, what’s the horizon that we are marching towards? And heat pumps have a huge role to play, they absolutely do, and the efficiency of heat pumps are really, really good.

We probably have to scale up a market that provides a lot of the technology more locally and regionally, nationally, internationally. But that’s another question. I think what we have to look at is what are the models of ownership that we want to, as a society, have for our energy production? And what you have just now is energy production in the hands of a few small companies and energy supply in the hands of another few companies and quite a lot of institutional profit going to a small amount of shareholders.

I think we have to look at how energy is locally produced and owned almost on a community basis or a regional basis. I think we have to look at not for profit models with local government involvement, with key stakeholders who have who have social value at their heart.

We, though, have an energy sector and electricity sector and there are some levies that affect us priced between 20 or 30 percent, but on average you’re paying between 26 and 34 pence just now for electricity. If you’re relying on direct electricity for your heating at those rates, you’re in fuel poverty. You’ve got to be. That’s a huge amount of money.

So how can district heating address that?

We need lots of people to participate in this, because the efficiency will inform the price, will drive the price. So if we have the district heating network that connected prisons and schools and public buildings and social landlords and private tenants and private owners, we would have a really efficient system.

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ISSUE 14

Public Sector Round Up Over the past month, Housing Industry Leaders have covered an array of stories across the policy, retrofit, technology, and planning sub-sectors. Here are the highlights:

PLANNING

POLICY

Kirknewton Community Development Trust has entered into a £1.696 million contract with Colorado Construction to build seven affordable, energy-efficient homes in Kirknewton.

The first results from a research collaboration between the University of Salford, Barratt Developments, Bellway, and Saint-Gobain have been released.

The focus of the homes is on community and sustainability, and they are intended for occupation by those from within the Kirknewton community.

Early results have indicated that the Future Homes Standard can be delivered at scale by 2025, providing that the supply chain of key components can keep pace and skills training is readily available.

The project is funded by the Rural and Islands Housing Fund from the Scottish Government, the Scottish Land Fund, the Ecology Building Society, and Kirknewton Community Development Trust Ltd.

Two prototype homes, built in the Energy House 2.0 climate chamber at the University of Salford in January 2023, have been put through rigorous fabric testing.

In collaboration with Robertson Architecture & Design, Colorado Construction will transform a location in Kirknewton, situated between the historic main road to Camps and the iconic Jencks Stones landscape art form.

The chamber can recreate environmental conditions of 95 per cent of the earth’s inhabited land, with temperatures from -20 to 40 degrees Celsius. This includes rain, wind, snow, and solar.

First results from the project concentrate on the fabric of the homes, including the overall performance, as well as the walls, roofs, and floors. The lessons learned are helping to develop a roadmap for housebuilders to build zero-carbon new homes in the UK. The Future Home Standard is the new Building Regulations for new UK homes built from 2025 onwards, with all new homes designed to produce 80 per cent fewer carbon emissions than homes built under the 2013 regulations.

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Possession of the site by Colorado will take place on or around the 3rd July and the projected programme is 43 weeks.

Horizon Housing Association is being appointed managers.

Colorado Construction Managing Director, Ian Bownes, explained how the project is a local one to the company: “With Colorado being based in Livingston, West Lothian, we very much look forward to successfully delivering this worthy project for our near neighbours in Kirknewton.”

These homes are designed to near Passivhaus standard with the help of the Horizon, a member of the Link Group.

HIL

TECHNOLOGY RETROFIT In retrofit news, plans have been agreed for an initial twenty-three Cardiff Council buildings to benefit from an energy-saving retrofit programme.

Green, locally sourced electricity already provides the power for council buildings wherever possible. However, the 22 school buildings provisionally identified for the first round of the programme alongside Channel View Leisure Centre, still produce 1595.7 tonnes of CO2e annually, at a cost of more than £1.1 million for 7.7 million kWh of energy.

The Re:Fit programme which is managed and run via Local Partnerships, a joint venture between the Local Government Association, HM Treasury and the Welsh Government, will guarantee a minimum of 15 per cent energy, carbon and cost savings.

It intends that the work will be financed by the Salix managed ‘Wales Funding Programme,’ which allows public sector bodies to apply for flexible interest-free loans for energysaving projects.

Cabinet Member for Investment and Development, Cllr Russell Goodway, said: “The Re:Fit programme offers an opportunity for us to reduce costs, save energy and continue the good work that has contributed to a 12.3% reduction in carbon emissions from the Council’s estate since launching our One Planet Cardiff response to the climate emergency.”

The plans were approved at a Cabinet meeting and a Re:Fit service provider will now be appointed for four years, with the delivery of retrofit measures in the first group of buildings to take place in 2024/25. Subsequent groups will then follow over the next four years.

In technology news, a programme has been delivered in Watford to upgrade some of the worst-performing homes in the area by installing external wall insulation.

The programme saw Watford Borough Council work in partnership with Watford Community Housing, Three Rivers District Council, and Thrive Homes.

As part of the first phase of the Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund (SHDF), 57 of Watford Community Housing’s properties have benefitted from improved insulation, helping tenants feel warmer in their homes and reducing the amount of energy needed to keep homes comfortable.

In total, as a result of the insulation installed, 139 homes combined were improved to an EPC C rating, which has reduced the carbon emissions from these properties by approximately 173.4 tonnes per year – equivalent to an average of 1.25 tonnes of carbon saved per home every year.

Cllr Ian Stotesbury, Portfolio Holder of Sustainability and Transport, explained that the programme will help support the local community: “As a partner in this project, Watford Borough Council is delighted to have collaborated with Three Rivers District Council, Watford Community Housing and Thrive Homes to deliver impactful energy-saving improvements to a substantial number of local residences.”

Continuing, the Cllr highlighted that it could bring several benefits to the area: “These upgrades have not only contributed significantly to reducing carbon emissions, supporting the district’s journey towards net zero, but they will also help residents heat their homes efficiently and help save bills and prevent other issues like damp and mould.”

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Bringing together the Welsh Government, local authorities, housing associations, the wider stakeholder community and the supply chain Housing Industry Leaders Cymru 2024 will bring together the Welsh Government, local authorities, housing associations, the wider stakeholder community and the supply chain to discuss their vision for the future and how the sector will support the needs of its citizens.

The event will provide a platform for current policies, plans, priorities and projects to be discussed in an open forum, discussing the challenges faced and the opportunities available in a thought provoking way.

Mercure Holland House Hotel, Cardiff 11 July 2024 28

PAGE 16

What UK Procurement Law Shake-ups Will Mean for 2024 and Beyond Also In This Issue: Procast: Boosting Retrofitting, Connectivity, and Engagement Page 04 Scottish Gas: Transitioning to Net-Zero One Conversation at a Time Page 20 January Edition

HOUSING INDUSTRY LEADERS Issue 11 November 2023

Common Challenges, Shared Solutions: A Unified Approach Page 16

Also in this issue: Realising Scotland’s Housing Objectives Through Planning and Pace Openreach: Amplifying Connectivity with Full-Fibre

Issue 10 October 2023

Issue 09 September 2023

How £100 Million Will Deliver 10,000 Sustainable Homes in Wales

How Scotland’s Passivhaus Policy is Building Homes of the Future

Page 16

Page 16

Also in this issue: How the Crown Estate Will Trial Zero Carbon Homes Your TSM Standard Questions Answered

Also in this issue: Social Housing Act Demands Higher Standards Devolution and Decarbonisation: Accelerating England’s Net Zero Goals.

ENHANCE YOUR KNOWLEDGE IN KEY TECHNICAL AREAS SURROUNDING THE HOUSING SECTOR IN THE UK.

Photography: Alsecco / Elizabeth Savage Architects and Passivhaus Designers: Gale & Snowden Architects Ltd

ISSUES

ISSUE 13

Housing Industry Link North West is a pioneering housing event designed to bring together industry professionals, decision-makers, and stakeholders in the housing sector to discuss and find innovative solutions towards achieving net zero in the North West region.

This event welcomes companies and individuals with cutting-edge products and ideas to showcase how their innovations can contribute to the region’s journey towards carbon neutrality.

06 February 2024 The Bridgewater Hall, Manchester 30