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The UK is currently suffering from an unprecedented increase in energy prices and has an urgent need to reduce carbon emissions to save our planet. Therefore, the government's Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund is crucial for us to make a difference in how we live for economic and global reasons.

The government has granted 3.8bn over ten years to help create energy-efficient homes. Wave 1 in 2021 provided landlords with the first opportunity to receive funds to proceed with this. Social housing landlords now have the chance to apply for wave 2.1 of the Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund.

What does wave 2.1 of the Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund offer?

The government has allocated 800m of funding for wave 2.1. The aim for wave 2.1 is for landlords to use the fund to improve the quality of warmth in a property through energy-efficient heating, which in turn reduces carbon emissions and fuel poverty.

What should landlords know?

A property which has previously been funded through the SHDF cannot be supported again. For more information on this click here.

Before applying for the SHDF, landlords need to examine their properties to see which ones require work and will qualify for funding. Houses and buildings below EPC D can apply for funding. They will also have to declare the type of retrofit work they expect to do to reduce carbon emissions. Landlords should also be aware that there will still be a focus on the 'Fabric First', which was the approach taken in Wave 1. The intention behind this is to reduce heat from a property by providing better insulation by replacing windows and doors, installing heat pumps, and more.

Things to consider before starting the application process:

• Ensure tenants will be aware of your retrofit plans
• What retrofit work will be carried out on each property?
• Who will oversee the project is completed on time with technical and legal expertise?

Procurement support

Understanding the funding process and getting started can be difficult. At LSE, we have the expertise to help you throughout the process. We can provide a range of solutions to deliver the funded works. We have frameworks specifically for refurbishment and energy efficiency measures offering either a comprehensive approach or just one or two measures.  

Our Road to Net Zero: Procurement Solutions for Retrofitting Social Housing guide summarises what you need to know about how our frameworks work. The guide can help your organisation make the most of the funding available to you.

Get in touch

If you have any questions on this topic or would like to get started Contact the team for more information.