Over 175,000 London homes to be retrofitted

Affordable homes across London could see major improvements in the near future, as a major funding boost for the city's housing has been announced. Mayor of London Boris Johnson has secured around £145 million to help upgrade homes in several London boroughs.

The money has come from government ‘Decent Homes Funding’, and will be given out directly to the boroughs in order to "bring homes back to good standards," according to a press release from the mayor's office. As such, the money will be targeted at houses that are currently in poor condition.

As well as improving the standards of housing, the money will also go towards making them more energy-efficient. Over 175,000 homes will be modified in order to reduce carbon emissions and many more will receive energy-saving modifications. These will save residents up to £180 each year on their gas and electricity bills.

Some 36 per cent of London's carbon emissions come from houses, so the mayor is keen to improve the city's homes to reduce this. It is thought that the new improvements will drop emissions by 93,000 tonnes a year.

The programme of improvements will take three years. Capita has been selected for a £3 million contract to provide £50 million worth of energy-saving improvements to homes. These will include boiler and heating upgrades, and insulation.

Mr Johnson said: "This vital Decent Homes investment will enable us to help boroughs transform some of the poorest quality council estates and social housing in need of urgent repair.

"Many families are also rightly concerned at the cost of their energy bills so I’m delighted to be able to put in place a programme of energy-saving measures for homes across the capital."

Published 12th August, 2014

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