I just wanted to say a special thank you to you for your support with these events. I have really enjoyed working with you and think I have learnt a lot as well. Even though we had the coronavirus come in and upset our plans we managed to turn it around and host two great online meetings which are very different to others available at the moment. I hope we can work together again soon.
Lucy Glynn, Switch2
Everyday steps to sustainable homes
A few weeks ago, we featured the work of Bevan Jones and the team at Sustainable Homes on this blog. We’re following that up with a further blog about their work, and to let you know that you have until Wednesday 5 July to enter this year’s SHIFT Awards.
One of the topics that I discussed with Bevan recently was the challenge that many housing providers face when selecting projects or initiatives to take forward. “Best practice” and “innovation” are used as bait to tempt us towards projects which may carry higher risks and costs than the organisation is happy to bear. Awards programmes often celebrate the risk-takers (and rightly so), but there are plenty of everyday heroes who do not get the recognition they deserve.
Sustainable Homes are keen to redress the balance a little with this year’s SHIFT Awards. As Bevan said:
“We want people not only to say “what a great idea” but also “I can do that”. So we’re looking for entries to the Awards that address common challenges that many housing providers are going to face. We’re still looking for innovative and inspiring entries, but the magic this year will be things that others can replicate.”
So what might these things be?
A clear, well-communicated strategy sets the direction of travel towards sustainability. In 2016, Viridian, now 44,000-home Optivo, and Isos Housing were both celebrated for their strategy and management work. Both organisations recognised that strategy alone is not enough; detailed implementation plans and clear measurement and monitoring processes aren’t just “nice to have” but essential ingredients of success in sustainability.
A theme from last year was “lean and green”: housing providers who were doing more with less and achieving great results. Broadland Housing Group installed new doors and windows, heating systems and lighting to a 1970s estate, and carried out an extensive resident engagement programme. Since then, they have seen a reduction in void properties, lower administrative costs and a reduction in anti-social behaviour. All from simple, everyday, proven measures.
Everyday sustainability encompasses how housing providers operate internally as well as how they manage their homes and support their customers. Catalyst Housing won the 2016 Best In Class – Offices and Operations SHIFT award, for their energy and water efficiency, waste minimisation, recycling and staff communications work. (On that last topic, here’s what Rachael had to say about communication based on her recent work with Southern Housing Group.)
In a time of constrained resources and competing priorities, it is this everyday good practice that can really make a difference: to running costs, energy bills, tenants’ quality of life and making steady progress towards ambitious goals.
If you’re working on a sustainable housing project that you think shows just what can be achieved – no matter how simple – why not enter the SHIFT Awards? You’ll find all the details at http://www.sustainablehomes.co.uk/event/shiftawards2017/. Act now – the closing date is Wednesday 5 July.