24housing Retrofit Campaign: Our supporters - who's on board?

Published by Jon Land for 24dash.com in Campaign

24housing's Retrofit Best Practice Campaign has received messages of support from high profile figures from across the housing sector and beyond. Here are a selection:

“This campaign is both timely and very urgent. There’s a huge amount still to be done to improve existing housing stock in the UK, and social landlords have a key part to play in that revolution.  The benefits of such a programme would be enormous, both from a social and environmental point of view.”
Jonathon Porritt

"Homes account for a quarter of our carbon emissions so if we stand a chance of tackling climate change we need nothing less than a national crusade with everyone able to play their part. There is no plan B and homes must become greener, that's why we must take action on both our existing and new build housing stock.

"With the first sites for eco towns we are creating the world's first zero carbon communities, and through Energy Performance Certificates all prospective buyers and tenants are getting advice on how to reduce lost energy and bills.
 
"Most of the homes people will be living in fifty years from now have already been built, so it's essential we improve our existing housing stock. The Government is acting to improve the standards of social homes by spending £84million to insulate up to 110,000 homes. This work is well underway and will help cut carbon emissions and energy bills for thousands of people, often the most vulnerable in society.
"I'm pleased to see that 24 Housing are contributing to this agenda."
John Healey MP, Housing Minister (pictured)

“Retrofitting the 25million homes which are responsible for producing 27% of our Co2 is one of the most important challenges facing the housing world.  I applaud this 24Housing campaign and will be active in my support of the issue.”
Grant Shapps MP, Shadow Housing Minister

“The TSA supports 24housing’s Retrofit Best Practice campaign. Our aim, shared with Government through ensuring that homes are made energy efficient, is to end fuel poverty in social housing by 2016. Doing this requires coordinated action by government, working with landlords and their tenants to reduce the amount of energy needed to heat and run tenants’ home.”
Peter Marsh, Chief Executive, Tenant Services Authority

“With many organisations doing good work in this area, we welcome this campaign that will help ensure knowledge and lessons learned about retrofitting are shared among the sector. Relatively minor work can often make an important difference to energy performance, and it will be interesting to see the types of good practice examples emerging. The HCA expects to play an important role in implementing the government’s retrofit agenda, and we are currently developing our strategy for existing homes.”
Alison Mathias, Policy Manager, Homes and Communities Agency

“Housing professionals have a key role to play in improving our existing housing stock and minimising its impact on the environment. We support a campaign that will share excellent practice and help ensure we not only meet the country’s carbon reduction targets, but also leave an important legacy for the nation.” 
Sarah Webb, Chief Executive CIH

"We support 24housing's new retrofitting campaign. Housing associations are passionate about reducing their carbon emissions and cutting their tenants' energy bills. Retrofitting achieves both these aims."
David Orr, Chief Executive, National Housing Federation

“The Energy Saving Trust is pleased to be involved in the 24housing Retrofit Best Practice Campaign. It’s vital that every social landlord knows how improving the sustainability and energy efficiency of existing homes can only help in the fight against climate change but also helps save their residents money.”
Mat Colmer, Head of Housing, Energy Saving Trust

“BSHF is delighted to see 24housing taking forward this campaign on Retrofit Best Practice. Retrofitting of the existing housing stock is of vital importance if the UK is to reduce its carbon emissions and address other important concerns such as affordable warmth and excess winter mortality.”
Jim Vine, Building and Social Housing Foundation