Following extensive discussions, The Almshouse Association is pleased to announce that the Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund (SHDF) will now be open to all almshouse charities.
The fund is due to re-open this Autumn 2022 with £800m in funding to help raise as many properties as possible to EPC Band C. In total, the fund will provide £3.8 billion over a ten-year period. Previously, the fund was restricted to Registered Providers of Social Housing, however, after continued engagement with the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, the Association was able to achieve changes to the next round of funding to allow registered charities that own social housing to bid directly into the fund. This marks the most significant funding currently available for retrofit projects that is available to almshouse charities.
To bid for funding the project must meet the funds eligibility criteria which includes:
- A minimum of 100 eligible properties at EPC band D-G (Note: If you have less than 100 dwellings you will need to join a consortium with other charities, your local authority, or a housing association)
- Properties must reach EPC band C or D where this is not possible on band F/G properties
- Bidders must be able to co-fund 50% of total eligible costs
The Social Housing Retrofit Accelerator is backed by Government and has been established to help guide applicants through the bidding process. If you are interested in bidding, the Accelerator will be able to offer the best advice on how to create a successful bid. More details can be found here.
The fund is next due to open this Autumn 2022, although, the announcement may have come too late for many members to create a suitable bid. There will, however, be further opportunity to bid as the fund is due to reopen subsequently.
Full guidance on the fund can be found here.
Posted 22 August 2022