Energy efficiency grants for social landlords

Social landlords will benefit from £3.5 million in extra funding to improve the energy efficiency of their properties.

The funding is being provided for measures such as insulation and internal improvements to social rented accommodation.

To receive the funding projects must also include activity to reduce a building’s carbon footprint, such as ground source heat pumps, biomass energy from organic material and solar panels.

By the end of 2021, the Scottish Government will have allocated more than £1 billion since 2009 to tackle fuel poverty and improve energy efficiency - making homes warmer and cheaper to heat.

Communities and Local Government Secretary Aileen Campbell said:

“A warm home that feels safe, stable and permanent gives people a greater sense of wellbeing. That is why are working to remove poor energy efficiency as a driver of fuel poverty and to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

“This year alone £145 million has been allocated to improve the energy efficiency of Scotland’s building stock.

“Social landlords are already making excellent progress towards their energy efficiency targets. This additional funding will help further that progress, encouraging innovative approaches and ideas.”

 Background

The Energy Efficiency Standard for Social Housing aims to encourage landlords to improve the energy efficiency of social housing in Scotland. It sets a single minimum Energy Efficiency rating for landlords to achieve which varies dependent upon the dwelling type and the fuel type used to heat it.

The Scottish Government is committed to delivering at least 50,000 affordable homes by 2021, with 35,000 of these for social rent.

More than £3.3 billion is being invested into the affordable housing programme – the single biggest investment in affordable housing since devolution.

Latest statistics show that since 2007 more than 86,000 affordable homes have been delivered, including more than 59,000 for social rent.

The Scottish Government’s Energy and Housing Directorates continue to work in partnership to deliver the Energy Efficient Scotland Route Map published last year. This £3.5 million in new funding comes from the Scottish Government’s Energy portfolio.