Orbit’s new Group Chief Executive, Phil Andrew, visited the Stratford-on-Avon District recently to view homes that have been made more energy efficient by the housing association, as part of its region-wide programme to help householders cut fuel bills and carbon emissions.
Over the past year, Orbit retrofitted 69 low energy performing homes (EPC rating D or below) in and around Stratford-upon-Avon with energy efficient doors and windows, along with loft and wall insulation and some low carbon heating, to increase the energy performance of the homes.
The scheme was part of the government’s Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund Demonstrator project, which received £1.45 million in government funding and £2.2m investment from Orbit.
Following the success of the Demonstrator, Orbit is in the process of upgrading a further 66 properties in Stratford area as part of a 282-home programme across the West Midlands, after securing funding from the Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund Wave 1 and Wave 2.1.
Phil Andrew, Orbit Group Chief Executive commented: “Sustainability is integrated into Orbit’s long-term investment plans and aligns with our corporate vision and strategy to lead in building thriving communities. For us, this is about meeting people’s needs now and, in the future, whilst playing our part in the global response to climate change.
We know that 20 per cent of UK carbon emissions are linked to the residential sector, demonstrating the need to decarbonise our stock. Whilst the cost-of-living crisis demonstrates the need to make homes thermally efficient and reduce energy usage, the best way to reduce the amount people must spend to heat their homes, now and in the future, is to invest in energy efficiency measures. It’s fantastic to see some of these measures already making a positive difference to customers in and around Stratford.”