Housing policies

Introduction

We carried out a survey for tenants and leaseholders to have their say on sustainability within RBKC housing. Your feedback has shaped the Strategy and informed our recommendations. It will help us support and work with residents to tackle environmental issues in our housing.

We know that climate change and sustainability matter to our residents. We are committed to taking action and supporting residents to reduce carbon emissions and live in greener, healthier ways.

Housing Management has developed a Sustainability and Fuel Poverty Strategy to show how it will respond to the climate emergency. This is a first step towards working together to improve sustainability and energy efficiency across our estates.

Our vision

Our aim is to reach net zero carbon emissions in our housing by 2030 and reduce fuel poverty for our residents.

Our priorities

• Reduce our carbon footprint from both our own operations and those of our contractors. This will help the Council meet its net zero ambition for council housing and corporate buildings.

• Support tenants and leaseholders to reduce their carbon footprint at home. Help them lower their environmental impact in their local area and day-to-day lives.

Strategy objectives

We have set out nine key areas where Housing Management will focus to improve energy efficiency and environmental outcomes.

Energy and fuel poverty

We will improve the energy efficiency of our housing stock and help make sure residents can live in warm homes at an affordable cost. We will:

• review the 2021-22 capital works programme ahead of its start date, to identify opportunities for energy-efficiency improvements

• minimise the environmental impact of building works for new social homes. Make sure homes are designed so residents can reduce their carbon footprint and lower heating costs.

Responding and adapting to climate change

We will make our estates more resilient to extreme weather and changing climate patterns. This includes reducing flood risk and helping estates cope better with hot weather. We will:

• review how well estate drainage systems can cope with extreme weather events. Look at options to include sustainable drainage, such as rain gardens, when carrying out planned improvements to hard surfaces on estates.

• prioritise homes that stay comfortable in both hot and cold weather. We will do this by improving building insulation, energy efficiency, and support for fuel poverty

Air Quality

To reduce the amount of air pollution produced by our housing stock and operations, we will:

• make air pollution and carbon emissions a key consideration when exploring options for boiler replacements and upgrades in council homes. This includes looking at options such as ultra-low NOx boilers.

• investigate whether it is feasible to install electric vehicle charging points on our estates as part of the parking review. Assess requests from residents for new charging points.

Transport

To support the Council’s commitment to reduce motor traffic by encouraging greener modes of transport on and around our estates. we will

• we will encourage residents to cycle more. We will offer cycle training and provide more secure cycle parking on our estates

• assist Transport colleagues in implementing walking and cycling schemes that support our estates and housing stock

Waste management

To reduce waste and increase recycling in our estates and operations, including in our procurement arrangements, we will:

• review and improve waste and recycling facilities where communal bins are used. This will make it easier for residents to recycle

• promote and support community garden and food waste composting projects. Encourage other waste reduction activities, such as repair workshops and zero waste event days

Water management

To promote and enable water saving in our estates, we will:

• encourage the early reporting of leaks

• work with Groundwork London through Green Doctors home energy visits and phone consultations. Promote and install water-saving devices, such as water hippos and aerated taps

Green Neighbourhoods and Communities

We will work with the community to support resident-led action to reduce carbon footprints and create greener neighbourhoods. This includes initiatives such as local growing projects and community kitchen areas. We will:

• provide information to residents on ways to make sustainable choices and support residents who want to work towards green outcomes. We will support residents to take an active role in improving their communities. This includes helping them lead local initiatives that raise awareness and promote sustainability on our estates.
• research opportunities for grants and support residents to seek funding for improvements to their own estates

Ecology and increasing biodiversity

To work with residents to increase biodiversity on our estates, we will:

• support our commitment to protect and improve biodiversity during new builds and refurbishment work. This includes helping to deliver our upcoming Biodiversity Action Plan and putting suitable protection measures in place during construction.

• investigate the feasibility of installing green roofs and walls as part of new build programmes and retrofit works

Housing Management operations

To improve the way we work in order to become more sustainable, both in our own operations and
throughout our supply chain, ensuring that our contractors are also embedding environmental
sustainability and climate change across their operations, we will:

• develop a programme to reduce carbon emissions in how we work. Encourage all staff to adopt sustainable habits and reduce energy use in their day-to-day work

• produce a ‘sustainable tips’ guide for contractors and suppliers. This will help them follow environmental best practice and keep us informed about any improvements or changes to their services.