Social housing grows more sustainable

Social housing providers are becoming more aware of their environmental impacts according to latest research from SHIFT, a national sustainability index.


The report rated the performance of over 35 affordable housing providers on how they were reducing emission across homes and other climate change metrics. The organisations involved represented over one million homes.

Between 2008 and 2010 there was a 22% increase in the number of organisations assessing their existing homes against at least one type of climate change risk – flooding, overheating or water shortages.

However, the research also found that although more organisations wereundertaking a risk assessment, less than 10% of them were undertaking comprehensive adaptation measures.

Commenting on the study, Homes & Communities Agency chief executive, Pat Ritchie, said: “Environmental sustainability is vitally important: I am encouraged to see that our housing association partners recognise the significance of their role and the impact of their work in this field.”

Other areas the research focused on included carbon emissions of offices, energy efficiency of homes, Code for Sustainable Homes performance and water efficiency.

Maxine Perella

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