Our Greener Ways Strategy is about making homes warmer, more affordable to run and fit for the future, while also reducing our impact on the environment. This first year has focused on putting the right foundations in place, listening to residents and taking practical steps that will make a difference in our homes, communities and services.
We have made good progress during the first year of the strategy. We measured our organisational carbon footprint, secured Warm Homes funding to support energy efficiency improvements, and continued work to improve the EPC ratings of homes.
Warmer and more efficient homes: 23 homes were included in the Warmer Homes retrofit programme, alongside work such as boiler upgrades, loft insulation top-ups and extractor fan improvements.
Improved new homes: 42 new homes were completed across 5 locations, with EPC ratings of A or high B and energy-saving features such as electric vehicle charging provision, solar panels and/or air source heat pumps.
Resident involvement: residents helped shape the Greener Ways Strategy through consultation, and gave input into the design guide for future homes.
Greener communities: we created an edible garden at Western Way, added edible planting at new developments and supported biodiversity through projects such as an insect refuge and hedgehog highway.
Better use of resources: we started composting garden and began recycling food waste from our office, and secured social value funding from Travis Perkins to support edible garden projects.
When the lads came to do our windows they were very polite, put all dust sheets down and got on with it. At the end of the day when clearing up you wouldn’t have thought they had been here, put everything away, hoovered up. They were amazing.
Had a very lovely man and very helpful when explaining about the boiler.
Our focus next year
In 2026/27 we will continue to improve homes, reduce carbon and strengthen resident involvement. Our priorities include retrofit and renewable skills training for staff, making sure all new homes include renewable energy, exploring renewable energy options for the van fleet, developing a low-carbon transport plan, and working towards Cornerstone offices being powered by renewables.
We will keep reporting our progress to residents, the Resident Engagement Panel and the Board, so that residents can see what is improving, what still needs work and how the strategy is helping to create warmer homes and greener communities.
Energy efficient homes
Energy efficiency of homes is measured using an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC). An Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rates how energy-efficient a home is, from A (most efficient) to G (least efficient). The rating looks at how much energy the home uses and loses, such as through heating, lighting, or poor insulation. By law, all our homes must reach at least a Band C rating by 2030.
Currently (as of 31/03/2026):
89.5% of our homes that have valid EPCs meet bands A, B or C. Leaving 10.5% at band D or below.
We currently have 28 properties with expired EPCs and 13 properties that do not yet have an EPC. We are working with residents to complete these surveys.
We continue to be ambitious for all social housing properties to achieve EPC Band C or above by 2030.
In addition to improving the energy efficiency of our homes, we will continue to upgrade and seek more opportunities to improve the energy efficiency of our offices and operational buildings.
