Council set to begin energy efficiency improvements to 665 homes

We are transforming 665 older council homes across the borough as part of a multimillion-pound energy improvements programme.

Residents in Horn Park joined Council Leader Anthony Okereke and Ward Councillor Rachel Taggart-Ryan, ahead of work which will transform 665 older council homes across the borough as part of the Council’s multimillion-pound energy improvements programme.

Cllr Anthony Okereke, Leader of the Council, said: “We want to improve the lives of our tenants in every way we can and ensure they have access to safe and secure homes that meet their needs.  

“As part of this we are proud to have committed to a huge £21 million investment to upgrade some of our older street properties so that tenants can benefit from warmer, more environmentally sustainable homes. 

“Helping to decarbonise our older council properties is one of the main ways we can help to cut carbon emissions in our borough which will contribute to one of our key missions of becoming a carbon neutral borough by 2030.” 

The range of energy efficiency improvements will vary from home to home, but improvements will include new double-glazed window replacements, cavity wall insulation, ventilation upgrades, external wall insulation, loft insulation and more.    

Council homes in Alwold Crescent were built between 1930 to 1949 and resident Penny Holland has lived in her home for 43 years. Her home has been earmarked to receive new windows, extractor fans and loft insulation.  

Penny Holland, said: “I am looking forward to the upgrades that are planned and certainly if it is going to be warmer, that will be nice. To keep us warm is the main thing now, especially for older people and people with young families because to have a young family and to have to watch when you can have the heating on or not, is really difficult. Any help to keep me nice and warm so I can come downstairs and not have to put my dressing gown on will be a God send and hopefully, I will get many more years here to enjoy it all.” 

The retrofit work, which will be delivered by the Council’s contractor Wates Property Services, will predominantly target street properties in Horn Park, Hornfair and Charlton Park that currently have an energy performance rating of C or lower.  

James Gregg, Regional Managing Director, Wates Property Services, said: “We are hugely proud to be working with the Royal Borough of Greenwich to deliver these upgrades to homes that will cut carbon emissions and fuel bills for residents for years to come. Our team will work closely with council colleagues to achieve their net zero goals and create a low carbon future for communities across the borough.” 

These energy efficiency improvements to homes in the borough form part of the Council’s biggest investment in council housing in a generation through our £430 million capital repairs programme which will also include new or improved kitchens, bathrooms, roofs and improvements to external blocks and walkways.  

The £21m Council investment includes a £5.3million grant through the Government’s Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund.