Paul Bayston, Head of Retrofitting at Fortem, Describes the Challenges of Retrofitting Social Housing in the UK

Retrofitting social housing in the UK is a critical step towards achieving the country's environmental goals and ensuring sustainable living conditions for residents. In 2017, the UK government set ambitious targets for all social homes to achieve a minimum Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating of C by 2030. The UK Green Building Council estimates that at least 15 million homes need to be retrofitted by the end of the decade to meet the 2050 carbon targets. However, the path to these goals is fraught with numerous challenges, ranging from policy gaps to practical implementation hurdles.

Policy and Incentives

One of the primary challenges in retrofitting social housing is the lack of comprehensive policy and incentives to drive change at the necessary scale. While a number of frameworks and funding options exist, they often have been insufficient to support large-scale retrofitting efforts. The former Conservative and now the current Labour Government has committed to invest in extensive retrofit programs, focusing on improving energy efficiency through insulation and renewable energy installations. However, historically, the absence of a consistent and robust policy and limited funding opportunities have created uncertainty and hindered the momentum needed for widespread adoption.

Unpredictable Nature of Retrofitting

Retrofitting existing buildings, especially social housing, presents unique challenges due to the unpredictable nature of the work. Each property is different, and despite thorough pre-construction surveys and investigations prior to works starting on site, unforeseen issues frequently arise. We have many examples of circumstances beyond our control taking place while working on large-scale schemes. While working with Chesterfield Borough Council, when we came to install new windows in their properties, it transpired that there were missing lintels, whilst working with Hull City Council in the final phase of a development, we recognised that egress steps in to the properties needed to be replaced before external wall insulation could be completed into door thresholds. These additional works were necessary to meet current building standards and although not difficult to physically complete, they caused unexpected challenges that had not been planned for. These unexpected complications delay projects and increase costs, making it difficult to standardise processes and effectively programme the proposed works across different housing stocks.

Resident Engagement and Customer Service

Engaging residents and maintaining high standards of customer service are essential aspects of successful retrofit projects. Ensuring residents are informed and involved can help alleviate concerns and foster cooperation, which is crucial for projects that often require significant changes to their living environments. We were recently awarded Best Customer Experience at the Northern Housing Awards for our resident engagement work at Hull City Council—a real testament to the team for their work to prioritise customer care.

Fabric First Approach and Technological Innovation

The industry predominantly adopts a "Fabric First" approach, which prioritises improvements to the building's fabric (such as walls, roofs, and windows) before implementing other energy efficiency measures. This approach ensures the fundamental aspects of improving and enhancing the thermal capacity of the buildings are sound, thereby maximising the effectiveness of subsequent heating systems upgrades and renewable energy installations.

Pre-Construction Planning and Flexibility

Effective pre-construction planning is crucial for the success of retrofitting projects. Accurate surveys and assessments can mitigate some of the unpredictability, but flexibility remains a key component. Contractors must be prepared to adapt their plans based on the specific conditions of each property. This adaptability extends to working with residents, ensuring minimal disruption and maintaining good communication throughout the process.

Effective partnerships

Looking to the future, the role of accredited supply chain partners becomes increasingly important. Ensuring that our supply chain partners understand the specifics of each project and can deliver on promises made during the pre-construction phase is vital. Plus, collaborating with organisations like the Retrofit Academy for training and expertise and seeking funding opportunities with partners like ECO and Octopus Energy and Eon, can enhance the capability to execute retrofit projects at scale and at pace. We also benefit from our a Group company structure which means we can use Willmott Dixon to support our retrofit projects and provide the necessary resource and expertise required to understand and deliver Enerphit net zero standards even Enerphit programmes. There specialist teams in carbon monitoring means that we can deliver on increasing complex projects and better understand the carbon efficiencies that we are delivering. Also, the wider group means that we can bring more innovation to our retrofitting programmes, not just in the planning and delivering of works, but in the shared understanding of new innovative products.

The future is exciting

Retrofitting social housing in the UK is a complex but necessary endeavour to meet environmental targets and improve living conditions. Addressing policy gaps, embracing innovation, maintaining flexibility, and ensuring strong resident engagement are all critical components to overcoming the challenges faced in this sector. With sustained investment and strategic collaboration, the goal of making social housing sustainable and energy-efficient can be achieved.

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