Social Housing Managers Ignoring Energy Efficiency

By William Gillis, National Energy Action - 14th July 06

That is the conclusion from a recent survey by the Institute of Housing and housing professionals publication, Inside Housing (Inside Housing, 23 June 2006).  The survey asked housing professionals what the top priorities should be for housing investment funds released as part of the 2007 Comprehensive Spending Review.   Energy or the environment did not appear in the top seven priorities identified in the survey.  Concern for fuel poverty and environmental issues was relegated to the eighty or so bullet points in the 'other' category of the results.  This apparent lack of concern comes at a time when their tenants are facing steep increases in the price of fuel in the coming winter.

The major fuel suppliers announced double digit price increases in the early part of 2006 (some actually announced two such increases!).  These increases have yet to fully impact on their winter quarter energy bills.  Already one major supplier has announced a further price increase and it is likely that several of their competitors will follow suit before next winter.  The DTI estimate that domestic gas prices increased by 80% between 2004 and the start of 2006.  Electricity prices during the same period increased by 53%.  And, there are more increases in the pipeline.

As a result, hundreds of thousands more public sector tenants will struggle to pay their energy bills in the coming winter compared to last year.  The recent 4th Annual Progress Report on the government's Fuel Poverty Strategy indicated that a staggering 57% of fuel poor social tenants live in (so-called) Decent Homes.  It has long been clear that the appallingly low thermal comfort criteria of the Standard will not guarantee affordable warmth.  This latest figure confirms this.  These figures are based on 2004 prices, so the current position is even worse.

Faced with this situation it is staggering that housing professionals do not see investment in improving the energy efficiency of social sector housing as a key priority.

Much good work does go on in some local authorities to improve the energy efficiency of the housing stock, for both social and environmental reasons.  However, it is clear from this survey that the importance of this issue is not recognised b y the majority in the profession.

It is clear that the impact of recent energy price rises will be significant.  The adverse health and social impacts of living in cold, damp homes will be felt by many more tenants and more acutely by those already suffering.  The financial impacts will put more pressure on already stretched household budgets which is likely to increase rent arrears.  If, for no other reason, social landlords have a direct financial incentive to ensure their tenants can afford to heat their homes!

This survey clearly indicates that the energy efficiency sector has still a great deal of work to do to persuade the housing profession of the need to improve energy efficiency.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Responses

To view Andy Frew's response relating the Energy Performance Certificates click here.

If you would like to submit a response to this article please contact the Partnership Secretariat.