London gets first devolved retrofit funding for social homes

The Mayor of London has received new powers and funding to make London’s social housing more energy efficient.

Sadiq Khan has unveiled more than £58m in new funding to improve the energy efficiency of more than 5,000 homes across the city.

The news comes as all PRS homes will need to meet EPC C targets by 2030.

Londoners living in inadequate homes

This marks London’s first devolved retrofit funding, with the Mayor’s £58 million home energy saving fund supporting energy efficiency improvements in social housing as part of the government’s £15 billion Warm Homes Plan.

Under the plans, social housing providers will improve homes through measures including insulation, solar panels and heat pumps, while helping properties stay cooler during heatwaves.

Mr Khan said: “Thousands of Londoners are living in inadequate homes that are freezing and damp in winter and unbearably hot during summer heatwaves. With this new funding, we can transform these homes for the future, making them more energy efficient, while also driving down bills and improving living conditions.

“As well as reducing fuel poverty, this will boost our economy, delivering more green jobs and skills so we can continue to scale up retrofitting across the city, supporting more Londoners to heat and cool their homes and reduce carbon emissions as we continue to build a fairer, more prosperous city for everyone.”

Londoners currently living in fuel poverty

Mete Coban, deputy mayor for environment and energy, and Warmer Homes London co-chair said: “I welcome this significant investment from government which enables us to urgently scale up retrofit across the city, improving the energy efficiency of Londoners’ homes and delivering on our net zero commitments.

“No one should have to spend winter in a cold, damp home but 10% of Londoners are currently living in fuel poverty, forced to make the difficult decision between heating and eating.

“We’ve now delivered over 1,000 homes through Warmer Homes London, demonstrating on our commitment to reducing fuel poverty. By making homes cheaper to heat and cool, and improving indoor air quality, we are delivering healthier homes for Londoners and a fairer London for everyone.”