Changeworks and three housing associations have teamed up.
Tenants across the Scottish Borders could soon benefit from warmer homes and lower energy bills thanks to a new collaboration between Changeworks and three housing associations.
Berwickshire, Scottish Borders and Eildon Housing Associations, who together provide more than 10,000 homes, have commissioned Changeworks to assess the energy efficiency of their properties.
Changeworks is a leading social enterprise delivering retrofit and energy advice services across Scotland.
The project’s long-term goal is to help shape future retrofit projects and strengthen each organisation’s energy efficiency strategy for the benefit of tenants. This includes looking at the suitability of installing clean heating and solar measures in homes.
The project will see Changeworks’ consultancy team undertake a housing stock visualisation and archetype mapping exercise. The team will also combine workshops with the three organisations to identify where projects can be co-ordinated.
The work will prepare all three organisations for the new Social Housing Net Zero Standard (SHNZS), which will regulate how local authorities and housing associations heat residential properties and set the energy efficiency standards they must meet.
Collectively, the organisations represent 83% of social housing in the Borders. By working together, and engaging with the Scottish Borders Council and South of Scotland Enterprise, the aim is to create a collective strategy to guide future retrofit planning and delivery.
Marjan van de Weg, principal consultant at Changeworks, said: “By working together with three organisations who own the majority of social housing in the area, our work will have significant impact and at scale. Working collectively also allows for knowledge and cost sharing, which is in the best interests of tenants, and others involved in this transformational approach.”
Caroline Purcell, director of property services at Scottish Borders Housing Association, said: “Working in this way with Changeworks and fellow housing providers in the Borders will allow us to plan for the long-term, and to ensure our housing stock is sustainable, and that tenants can continue to enjoy safe and warm homes.”
Joanna Voisey, director of assets and sustainability at Berwickshire Housing Association, said: “This is an important project which will have positive long-term impact for current and future tenants and, will help us unlock the insights needed to turn our shared challenges into solutions”
Neil Wilson-Prior, director of property assets at Eildon Housing, added: “Making homes more energy efficient is a collective effort and this project is proof that collaboration is key to meeting all of our net zero goals.”
