NHF hails Green Deal 'victory' for social housing sector

Published by Jon Land for 24dash.com in Housing and also in Environment

The National Housing Federation has today welcomed Government changes to the Green Deal that will allow the retrofit initiative to work better for the social housing sector and its residents.

In addition to confirming that more costly to treat properties will be eligible for Energy Company Obligation (ECO) funding, the Government is encouraging a more open and transparent approach to funding bids and has simplified some of the proposed Green Deal bureaucracy.

The Federation believes the Government’s concessions could help secure big cuts in carbon and tenants’ energy bills.

NHF policy leader Pippa Read said: “It is great that the Government has listened to us. But we need to monitor the emerging framework to ensure housing associations are given all the tools they need to deliver for their residents and communities.

“We will continue to press the Government to think again about the continuing exclusion of social landlords from one pot of funding for fuel poverty, and to simplify the process of securing consent for work in blocks of flats.