Back     Latest news from Green Building Press    Subscribe to our newsletter

New green guides for housing associations

Posted: 01/10/2007

Two new guides have been launched to help housing associations improve the environmental performance of existing homes and develop a comprehensive sustainability strategy. The guides are available, for free, to all organisations involved in the housing sector.

The two new publications, 'EcoHomes XB' and 'A Guide to Developing a Sustainability Strategy and Action Plan', were developed by Sustainable Homes Ltd, the leading consultancy in environmentally friendly housing, and were commissioned by the Housing Corporation as part of its Innovation and Good Practice Programme.

EcoHomes XB outlines how to improve the environmental performance of existing homes through maintenance programmes using the EcoHomes methodology for existing buildings. A Guide to Developing a Sustainability Strategy and Action Plan provides advice and examples of how to develop a sustainability strategy that covers an entire organisation’s remit. This guide also acts as an additional resource for organisations wishing to use EcoHomes XB, which includes the development of environmental, energy and maintenance policies as a core part of its Management section. Both guides provide detailed case studies.

“This is quite a pivotal moment. Sustainable Homes Ltd has already noticed a rise in interest in reducing the environmental damage of existing buildings, and it is likely that this interest will soon become the mainstream.

There is no doubt that everybody from housing associations managing large numbers of properties, to residents renting the properties, will in the near future be learning how to refurbish existing homes to reduce environmental impacts, such as carbon emissions and water use. It is expected that the EcoHomes XB guide will be a useful part of the journey,” said Andrew Eagles, Head of Sustainable Homes Ltd.

Steve Douglas, CEO of the Housing Corporation added: "I was delighted to launch these Sustainable Homes guides to EcoHomes XB. We commissioned these, as we commissioned BRE's original work on the EcoHomes XB assessment tool, to support social landlords as they assess and raise environmental performance across their existing stock.

The sheer size of the carbon footprint made by the domestic housing sector makes tackling this issue especially urgent. I believe these guides will help build on the lead the social sector is establishing, and spread the techniques and best practice we are pioneering across the entire housing sector."

The guides are available from Sustainable Homes Ltd on 020 8973 0429 or at sustainablehomes@hastoe.com.

Green Building Press  
 

Back     Latest news from Green Building Press    Subscribe to our newsletter

2159