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New Sustainable Refurbishment Package

Posted: 08/08/2006

BRE and the Housing Corporation have launched EcoHomes XB. It provides a way for Registered Social Landlords (RSLs) to judge the environmental performance of their management structure and existing housing stock, highlighting properties that are in need of attention. The package is easy to use as it draws on existing data already to hand within RSLs and other readily accessible information.

BRE has worked closely with the Housing Corporation to ensure that EcoHomes XB is as user-friendly as possible, being organised around a list of practical, adoptable measures. It adapts the BREEAM/EcoHomes methodologies to the constraints of existing stock. Topics covered by EcoHomes XB are: management policies, energy, transport, pollution, water, health and waste.

EcoHomes XB has taken just over two years to complete. Its development has involved consultation with various housing associations, local authorities, EcoHomes assessors, and other interested parties. The scheme has been piloted twice,and a number of housing associations and local authorities have participated. The assessment is also applicable to local authority landlords, representing some 2.2 million homes.

Sustainable Homes are looking for sustainable refurbishment case studies to support their project on EcoHomes XB. For more information or to submit a case study please contact Clare Wilson on 020 8973 0429 or email

Jon Rouse, Chief Executive of the Housing Corporation, commented: “Although currently a voluntary measure, EcoHomes XB has the potential to support environmental improvements across all four million existing homes owned and managed by housing associations and local authorities. Designed to be easy to use, not only is this a cost-effective way for social landlords to celebrate their achievements, it can also bring genuine cost-savings to residents."

For more information on EcoHomes XB please see www.ecohomes.org (new users need to register to access the information).

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