Platform Housing Group has been awarded a Green Homes Grant to improve energy performance in its Worcestershire homes.
Platform Property Care – a subsidiary of the Birmingham-based social landlord – will receive £415,400 of Green Homes grant funding under the Local Authority Delivery Scheme (Phase 1B), in a joint bid with Worcester City Council.
The money will be used to improve the energy performance ratings of 100 Platform Housing Group properties in the county.
The social landlord has also committed a further £204,600 of its own funds to the initiative – which will be completed by September – to include installing PV, solar thermal and external wall insulation.
The Green Homes Grant is one of the programmes announced by the government as part of the investment in economic recovery from COVID-19.
Delivered through local authorities, the scheme’s primary aim is to improve the energy efficiency of low incomes and low EPC rated homes – those with Band E, F or G.
Kevin Carl, assistant Asset Management director (East) said: “We are delighted to be able to announce the upgrade of energy inefficient properties in the city and the reduction of fuel poverty.
“This initiative is a really good opportunity for customers’ homes to be warmer and for them to save money on their heating bills, at no cost to themselves.”
Councillor Andy Stafford, vice chair of Worcester City Council’s Environment Committee, said: “Improving the energy efficiency of local housing is an important step towards meeting Worcester’s pledge to become carbon neutral by 2030.
“In addition to the work which Platform Housing is undertaking, the city council is also offering free external wall insulation to local homeowners with a combined household income of £30,000 or less.”
As part of Platform’s commitment to improving energy performance in its properties, it has also pledged extra funds, bringing the total investment amount to almost £1.1m throughout its operating area.
Platform Housing Group owns 46,000 homes in total and completed 1,448 homes in 2019/20 via an investment of £258m.
The group also built more 981 social-rented homes during the past two years in England, more than any other provider.
The group has G1 governance and V1 financial viability ratings from the Regulator of Social Housing and an A+ rating from Standard and Poor’s and Fitch.
Image: brizmaker/Shutterstock
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