ENERGY SECRETARY REBRANDS SHDF AND HUGS

The SHDF scheme has been rebranded and is now called the Warm Homes: Social Housing Fund. The fund is available for social housing providers to continue their net zero journey with guidance issued for wave 3. The Social Housing Fund opened on September 30. For the first time, all applications that meet minimum requirements will receive some funding, with a new expedited pathway for organisations that have a track record of successful delivery.

The launch of a Warm Homes: Local Grant, formerly known as the Home Upgrade Grant (HUG), offers energy performance upgrades and clean heat solutions to low-income homeowners and private renters. The Warm Homes: Local Grant is expected to open for Expressions of Interest (EOIs) later this year. The funding is targeted at energy performance upgrades and the installation of cleaner heating for low-income households living in the worst quality, privately owned homes in England.

As part of the Warm Homes Plan, the Government has also announced that it will consult on a new minimum energy efficiency standard for the private and social rented sectors before the end of year. The proposal is to uplift the minimum energy efficiency standards of all rented homes to Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating C by 2030. For private rented homes, this marks a considerable increase from the current standard, which is set at an EPC rating of E. In contrast, social rented homes currently have no formal minimum energy efficiency requirements however the sector has been planning for this target in preparation for an introduction of a minimum energy rating.