Yes

Tracy Gordon, exemplar programme manager, Homes and Communities Agency

It would be arrogant to suggest the HCA is doing enough but I do think that we are making significant steps to improve the environmental impact of our programmes.

We build homes better than building regulations stipulate, working to at least level three of the code for sustainable homes. This means addressing energy efficiency, reducing water usage and waste, improving ecology and more. More than 12 per cent of the affordable homes we fund are built to higher levels than this and our exemplar programmes such as the carbon challenge, which aims to accelerate the construction industry’s response to climate change, are creating some of the most environmentally considerate developments in the UK.

The existing housing stock is an increasingly vital part of our work. We are improving energy efficiency through the social housing energy saving programme that will insulate harder to treat homes. The low carbon infrastructure fund will enable more neighbourhoods to have efficient district heating systems and, working with the Energy and Climate Change and Communities and Local Government departments, we are funding social homes to test new buildings which use materials that sequester carbon. With such a wide range of environmental challenges there is always more to be done and we are working with our many partners to make sure this happens. But we are a relatively new organisation and our environmental strategy is already on the right track.

No

Paul Crossley, sustainability manager, Robinson Low Francis

While I applaud the Tenant Services Authority and HCA’s commitment to delivering sustainable communities, their efforts are too focused on zero carbon and lack clarity and flexibility.

Legislation can drive improvement in social housing, but must be used carefully. Attaining levels five and six of the code for sustainable homes is disproportionately expensive, largely unworkable and of questionable environmental benefit. In my view targeting level four provides a more realistic balance between a sustainable and maintainable lifestyle.

Levels five and six impose significant lifestyle changes on often financially vulnerable residents, who have more immediate priorities. I wonder how many housing association board members have fitted restrictors to their showers and baths.

If the HCA continues to impose rigid regulation requiring new homes to reach higher levels of the code they will lose the support of housing providers. Rather than focusing on zero carbon - a confusing and misunderstood term - the HCA and TSA should concentrate their resources on refurbishing existing buildings and educating tenants on the value of sustainable housing. Furthermore, focusing on climate change adaptation and prevention rather than zero carbon new builds will create more jobs, cut carbon emissions and reduce energy bills for millions of tenants.

Housing associations, residents and technology manufacturers are disillusioned by the lack of guidance on our proposed low carbon future. In fact, recent research from the UK Green Building Council suggests social housing occupants doubt the benefits of sustainable design.

Financial incentives, loans and education - not zero carbon - must be the HCA’s focus if government aspirations for truly sustainable housing are to be met.

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