Future affordable homes must cut carbon dioxide emissions by 26% compared to typical new-build houses, saving occupiers £138 a year in utility bills. The Housing Corporation set this target with the launch of its 2006-08 investment programme, which will support the development of an estimated 70,000 affordable homes.
Meeting the Eco-Homes Very Good standard means achieving 60 Eco-points out of 100. The average pass of a typical new-build house under current 2002 Building Regulations is 36 Eco-points out of 100. The following illustrates the importance of improving environmental standards in the housing sector:
To support associations and developers in meeting these standards, the environmental organisation Sustainable Homes has, on behalf of the Housing Corporation, developed the EcoHomes Support Programme. This consists of action-learning seminars, new cost research, a post-course guide, and support from Sustainable Homes, all of which are available for free.
Sustainable Homes works to promote better awareness of sustainable development issues for housing associations. Visit their website at www.sustainablehomes.co.uk.
A Newham Council programme to bring homes up to the Decent Homes Standard was awarded a refurbishment PFI contract - a first for consortiums made up of only private organisations.
The London City East Partnership was awarded £60 million in PFI credits by the Government to manage and bring 1,000 homes in Canning Town up to the Decent Homes Standard.
The consortium is owned by Regenter, which is a joint venture between Equion (a division of John Laing) and UK Pacific Investment Management. It includes Pinnacle Housing, Pinsents, Dexia, and Pricewaterhouse Coopers. Unlike most other PFI consortia, it does not include a housing association member.
Kier Partnership Homes completed the sale of the site of a former public house in Northfield, in Birmingham, to Harden HA (Midlands). The brownfield site has the benefit of outline planning approval for 24 two-bedroom apartments. The Association subsequently awarded Kier a £1.9 million contract to build the new affordable homes, which will be offered for sale on a shared ownership basis in summer 2006.
English Partnerships took a major step forward with its plans to create a sustainable, mixed-use community on a former Ministry of Defence site, in Devenport, by submitting an outline planning application to Plymouth Council. Working with local people and regional stakeholders, the Agency put forward proposals for the provision of over 500 high-quality homes - with 25% classed as affordable - a healthcare centre, a small supermarket, managed workspace, and new shops and offices.
It was reported that Axiom HA is to enter into a partnership agreement with the Longhurst Group with the plan to build around 1,000 homes per year across the East Midlands and Eastern region.
Dominion Housing Group started demolition work on the Gosai Cinema in West London, to make way for a £5.2 million development that will include 34 new affordable homes.
Camden Council awarded a £4 million contract to Higgins Construction for the refurbishment of nine housing blocks on its College Place Estate.
The fourth and final phase of a housing regeneration project in Ruchill - which has benefited from £11 million in public investment - was officially opened. This latest phase was the £2 million development of 22 homes for rent and two purpose built homes for the East Park charity, providing housing and support for up to four young people with physical and learning disabilities. The scheme was delivered by Maryhill Housing Association in partnership with Parkhill Residents Association, East Park, and Central Building Contractors.
The houses feature stained glass and metal work panels designed by young people from the Ruchill Youth Project, East Park, and Our Lady of the Assumption and Ruchill primary schools in a community arts project co-ordinated by Impact Arts, and funded by Communities Scotland and Glasgow City Council.
Queens Cross HA celebrated the launch of its first inner-city social housing project to use solar power, after completing photovoltaic (PV) installations in two separate phases of their development in North-West Glasgow. Residents of the social housing development will benefit from clean electricity whatever the weather, as solar roof panels need only daylight - rather than direct sunlight - to generate electricity.
