Funding Schemes
Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund (SHDF)
The Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund is a government initiative providing funding and support for housing associations and local authorities to improve energy efficiency and reduce carbon emissions in social housing properties across the UK.
It aims to alleviate fuel poverty, lower energy bills for tenants, and advance sustainability goals. The Demonstrator round of the scheme allocated £61million, and Wave 1 offered £179million to 69 successful projects. Wave 2.1 provided £800million from 22/23 to 24/25. Wave 2.2 will provide £80million in funding in 24/25. The scheme will also receive £1.25billion in the 3 years from 25/26 to 27/28.
The Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund is a government-led initiative aimed at reducing carbon emissions from social housing properties across the United Kingdom. It provides funding and support for housing associations and local authorities to undertake energy efficiency upgrades and decarbonisation measures in social housing stock.
Objective
The primary objective of the Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund is to improve the energy efficiency of social housing properties, lower energy bills for tenants, and contribute to the UK’s sustainability goals. By retrofitting social housing with energy-efficient technologies and renewable energy systems, the initiative aims to reduce carbon emissions and create more comfortable and sustainable living environments for residents.
Scope and Focus Areas
The fund targets social housing properties owned or managed by housing associations and local authorities. It supports projects across various focus areas, including insulation improvements, heating system upgrades, renewable energy installations, and other decarbonisation measures.
Financial Support
The Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund provides financial assistance in the form of grants, subsidies, and low-interest loans to eligible projects. These funds help cover the costs associated with implementing energy efficiency measures, installing renewable energy systems, and undertaking decarbonisation initiatives in social housing properties.
Project Implementation
Housing associations and local authorities receiving funding from the Decarbonisation Fund are responsible for implementing projects in line with the fund’s objectives and guidelines. This may involve conducting energy audits, identifying opportunities for efficiency improvements, procuring and installing energy-efficient technologies, and monitoring and reporting on project outcomes.
Benefits
By investing in decarbonisation projects, the Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund delivers a range of benefits. Firstly, it helps reduce carbon emissions from social housing properties, contributing to the UK’s climate goals and commitments. Additionally, energy efficiency improvements and renewable energy installations can help reduce energy bills for social housing tenants, alleviating fuel poverty and improving financial resilience.
Collaboration and Engagement
The initiative promotes collaboration and engagement between government, housing associations, local authorities, industry partners, and other stakeholders. By fostering partnerships and knowledge sharing, the fund aims to maximise the impact of decarbonisation efforts and drive innovation in sustainable housing practices and technologies.
Conclusion
In summary, the Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund is a critical tool in the UK’s efforts to improve energy efficiency and reduce carbon emissions in social housing properties. By providing financial support for decarbonisation projects, the initiative helps create more sustainable and comfortable living environments for social housing tenants while contributing to the nation’s broader sustainability goals and commitments.