Published: Friday, 24th March 2023

We have received more than £1million government funding to improve energy efficiency ratings in council houses and save residents money on their bills.

We will match the funding we have received from the government’s Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund (SHDF). More than £2million will be used to make improvements to our social housing properties to significantly improve energy efficiency, reduce energy consumption, and lower carbon emissions.

These energy-saving measures could include installing loft or cavity wall insulation, fitting new windows, draft proofing and installing LED lighting.

We will partner with Mears Ltd to carry out the works in 190 council homes which have an energy efficiency rating of D or below. Works are due to begin in May 2023 and are expected to finish in autumn 2025. Residents will be contacted directly by Mears to arrange for work to be carried out. The upgrades will also help to lower residents’ energy bills.

Creating a greener and more sustainable future

Cllr Howard Doe, Deputy Leader of Medway Council and Portfolio Holder for Housing, said: “We are delighted to have been awarded more than £1million from the government for this important project. We are committed to creating a greener and more sustainable future for our residents and this funding, which we are matching, will help us achieve an energy efficiency rating of C, or above, in all of our council houses by 2030. It also supports our climate change aspiration to achieve net zero carbon in Medway by 2050 and will help residents save money on their energy bills.”

Helping households heat their homes for less

Speaking about the government's Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund (SHDF), Lord Callanan, Minister for Energy Efficiency and Green Finance, said: “This investment will help thousands of households to heat their homes for less, keep them warm for longer and could save hundreds on their annual energy bill. The green energy sector is growing, and this funding will support green jobs and provide the training needed to deliver these vital upgrades to homes.”

Find out more about Medway’s housing services

Find out more about our work to tackle climate change

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