Harrow’s council homes are set for millions of pounds in energy improvements, thanks to a £2.1 million boost from the government’s Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund.
This funding, along with a £3 million investment from Harrow Council, will upgrade the worst-performing council homes in the borough as part of a £5.1 million programme.
Over the next two years, extensive works will be carried out on over 236 council homes, including new windows, doors, roofs, ventilation, and other energy-efficient upgrades. The programme aims to improve the energy efficiency of the borough’s poorest-performing homes, benefiting council tenants with lower energy bills and warmer homes.
The programme will also include the pilot of new green technologies such as the installation of solar panels, under-floor insulation, and low-energy lighting. The overall goal of the project is to achieve a carbon-neutral Harrow by 2030.
Cllr Mina Parmar, Cabinet Member for Housing, expressed her satisfaction with the project, saying, “Making homes warmer and as energy-efficient as possible will mean so much to so many. It will help to lower energy costs at a time when many are experiencing a squeeze on their finances and is just one of the ways we are putting residents first and supporting those in need.”
Lord Callanan, Minister for Energy Efficiency and Green Finance, also commented on the investment, saying, “This investment will help thousands of households to heat their homes for less, keep them warm for longer and could save hundreds on their annual energy bill. The green energy sector is growing, and this funding will support green jobs and provide the training needed to deliver these vital upgrades to homes.”
The project is expected to be completed by 2026, and it is hoped that it will serve as a model for other local authorities across the country to follow.
