Social housing net zero standard: consultation

5. Applying the SHNZS to Gypsy/Traveller Sites

5.1.1 The EESSH2 Review Group recommended that the new SHNZS should be extended to Gypsy/Traveller accommodation.

5.1.2 Public sector Gypsy/Traveller sites often provide a long-term home for residents. The amenity block typically consists of a kitchen, bathroom and small entrance hallway. In some cases there is also a living space where families can eat together. Construction varies with older units being breeze block or brick built.

5.1.3 These blocks are all post 1980 and built to meet non-domestic building standards. A small number of sites have chalets/mobile homes with sleeping accommodation. Some are poorly insulated, with consequent mould and damp problems.

5.1.4 Feedback from residents is that sites need amenity blocks with warm living space suitable for use throughout the day. Existing heating is often expensive LPG and storage heaters^[40]. Overall heating costs are increased because residents have to heat both their sleeping accommodation and the amenity block.

5.1.5 The SHQS and EESSH standards did not apply to amenity blocks because the scope was defined in terms of self-contained accommodation. There are existing energy efficiency targets for amenity blocks, but these are low (EPC band E)^[41], and in practice it is hard to measure performance for buildings that don’t match traditional domestic use.

5.1.6 Gypsy/Travellers have poorer outcomes than the settled population across a range of outcomes such as health (including life expectancy), education and employment^[42]. The Scottish Government and COSLA’s joint Action Plan, Improving the Lives of Scotland’s Gypsy/Travellers, published in 2019, committed to more and better accommodation for people who use the sites provided by local authorities^[43]. The Scottish Government’s Gypsy/Traveller Accommodation Fund is providing up to £20 million in 2021-26 to develop a number of sites as demonstration projects, including consideration of energy efficiency and decarbonisation. The aim is to seek parity with social housing where this can be achieved and to apply the principles of Housing to 2040 to Gypsy/Traveller accommodation.

Consultation Question: Gypsy/Traveller Sites

17. To what extent do you agree that the new SHNZS should apply to Gypsy/traveller sites?

Strongly agree – Somewhat agree – Neither agree nor disagree – Somewhat disagree – Strongly disagree – Don’t know.

Please include any additional comments below.

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