Articles

For many home owners and tenants, the increase in energy bills is causing real concern, with many facing the tough choice of heating their home or being able to afford to eat. And whilst we begin to look towards the spring and the upturn in weather the problem isn’t going away.

Every project is always a combination of competing demands for budget and funding and the trade off against performance. A balance between what can be afforded today, and what will be required in the future.

The increases seen in energy prices last year have made improving the energy efficiency of homes an urgent social priority. It’s critical importance as part of Government climate change objectives is long established.

Homes make up around 14% of all of the UK’s emissions. With a commitment to cut total UK emissions by 80% relative to 1990 levels by 2050 under the Climate Change Act (2008) reducing household carbon emissions assumes critical importance.

The housing shortage has its roots in the 1980s. It’s hard to believe that in 2023 there is still a chronic shortage of social housing. More people than ever before are battling to find a safe and secure place to live. Nonetheless, STILL we do not build enough social housing. Over a million households are on the waiting list for social housing. According to Shelter, 29,000 social homes were sold or demolished last year, whilst only 7,000 new ones were erected. Housing Association Magazine Editor Joe Bradbury investigates:

Howard Trotter, Business Manager of leading Birmingham-based window and door manufacturer Shelforce, discusses setting the standard when it comes to product and service is the key for housing associations and Local Authorities when specifying windows and doors.

Don’t let drinking water harm your tenants

Awareness of the potential health problems caused by lead in the water supply, particularly in infants and children is growing.  Houses built before 1970 would have been constructed with lead water supply pipes and if still in place can be causing developmental harm to young occupants.

Although the use of lead in plumbing has been banned in the UK for more than 50 years, there are still many properties where a risk of lead contamination of water is a risk.  In some areas of the UK up to a third of these older properties are still receiving their water through these original lead pipes.

As 2022 draws to a close, what mentality must we adopt to achieve success as we fearlessly transition into the New Year? Housing Association Magazine's Joe Bradbury discusses:

The Housing Forum has now published: ‘Better Procurement for Better Homes Supplementary Guidance’.
This supplementary guide offers advice on how to procure in a hyperinflationary environment
 
The key audience for the new supplementary guidance is local authorities and housing associations who are seeking to procure new homes in the current economic climate.

Inflation is now at a 40 year high of 11.1%, fuelled by rising energy costs and global supply chain difficulties. This has created an extremely tough landscape for procuring construction work, threatening the prospects for new housing development. The Autumn statement offered little by way of help for the housing sector facing rising costs and an uncertain market.