Major £8.3m Energy Retrofit Initiative Launched for North East Social Housing
A landmark collaborative project worth £8.3 million has been announced, targeting significant energy efficiency improvements across almost 650 social housing properties throughout the North East of England.
Consortium of Housing Providers Drives Investment
A newly formed consortium comprising five prominent North East social housing providers—Tyne Housing, Keelman Homes, North Star Housing, Livin Housing, and Durham Aged Mineworkers’ Homes—has united to deliver this extensive retrofit programme. The collaboration has been facilitated by Prosper, a specialist in partnership development, with works scheduled to unfold over the coming three years.
The total investment sees the five landlord partners committing over £5.5 million directly, supplemented by a further £2.8 million in matched funding secured through the UK Government’s Warm Homes Social Housing Fund.
Comprehensive Retrofit Measures and Regional Impact
The project will be executed via Prosper’s 2025 Decarbonisation and Investment Works Framework, with Consett-based Zenith Mechanical Services appointed as the principal contractor following a competitive procurement process.
The £8.3 million funding will be allocated proportionally among the housing associations based on the specific number of homes requiring upgrades and their individual needs. Eligible residential properties are located across a wide area, including:
- Newcastle
- Gateshead
- North and South Tyneside
- County Durham
- Tees Valley
- Wear Valley
The energy efficiency enhancements will be tailored to each property’s age and requirements, encompassing a robust suite of measures such as:
- New cavity wall, loft, and ceiling insulation
- Installation of solar panels
- Upgraded internal heating controls
- Replacement glazing units
- Air source heat pumps
- Low carbon lighting systems
Leadership and Broader Context
Rod Brasington, Chief Executive of Prosper, commented on the initiative, stating, “This exciting new collaborative partnership has been founded after several conversations with our landlord partners to determine their objectives and how this could best be delivered to create true value and efficiency. Bringing the five landlords together and creating a robust partnership with Zenith Mechanical Services is fantastic news which will significantly improve the living experience of more than 650 residents right across the North East.”
Specific allocations include Tyne Housing receiving £150,000, match-funded to £300,000 by the Tees Valley Combined Authority for 20 properties, and Keelman Homes awarded £198,000, match-funded to £396,000 for 43 homes, covering Newcastle, North and South Tyneside, and Gateshead.
This initiative aligns with the UK Government’s Warm Homes Social Housing Fund (Wave 3), a £1.29 billion national scheme designed to upgrade housing stock currently below an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) band C, thereby tackling fuel poverty and reducing carbon emissions.
The retrofit programme is expected to commence shortly, with all affected residents to be contacted directly by their respective housing providers for further details and coordination.
