Paul Crossley writes for Inside Housing - Are housing’s quangos doing enough for the environment?

19 February 2010

Are they up to the task? Are housing’s quangos doing enough for the environment?

Paul Crossley, Sustainability Manager, Robinson Low Francis does not think they are...

While I applaud the Tenant Services Authority and HCA’s commitment to delivering sustainable communities, their efforts are too focused on zero carbon and lack clarity and flexibility.

Legislation can drive improvement in social housing, but must be used carefully. Attaining levels five and six of the code for sustainable homes is disproportionately expensive, largely unworkable and of questionable environmental benefit. In my view targeting level four provides a more realistic balance between a sustainable and maintainable lifestyle.

Levels five and six impose significant lifestyle changes on often financially vulnerable residents, who have more immediate priorities. I wonder how many housing association board members have fitted restrictors to their showers and baths.

If the HCA continues to impose rigid regulation requiring new homes to reach higher levels of the code they will lose the support of housing providers. Rather than focusing on zero carbon - a confusing and misunderstood term - the HCA and TSA should concentrate their resources on refurbishing existing buildings and educating tenants on the value of sustainable housing. Furthermore, focusing on climate change adaptation and prevention rather than zero carbon new builds will create more jobs, cut carbon emissions and reduce energy bills for millions of tenants.

Housing associations, residents and technology manufacturers are disillusioned by the lack of guidance on our proposed low carbon future. In fact, recent research from the UK Green Building Council suggests social housing occupants doubt the benefits of sustainable design.

Financial incentives, loans and education - not zero carbon - must be the HCA’s focus if government aspirations for truly sustainable housing are to be met.

To view the full article, click here http://www.insidehousing.co.uk/story.aspx?storycode=6508583