The Government’s Warm Homes Fund has pledged £5bn of funding for upgrading the energy efficiency – and reducing the carbon emissions of – housing in the UK. This replaces the Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund, with a national initiative which resets the focus onto resident benefits such as warmth and lower bills, rather than the mechanics of reducing carbon emissions.
The social housing sector is tasked with tackling millions of properties with an initial £1.5bn of funding. This will be an unprecedented wave of upgrades – from heat pumps and PV, to building fabric including a range of insulation measures – to raise all homes to an EPC rating of ‘C’ by 2030. There remain a host of questions for the sector however, as it awaits Government confirmation of the incoming fourth wave of Fund spending to support this major endeavour.
We will be continuing a series of in-depth discussions with the housing sector, policymakers, industry experts, and the wider supply chain, with a focused one-day conference looking at the opportunities as well as challenges posed by the Warm Homes Plan for retrofitting social housing. We will bring together key stakeholders to share best practice strategies and practical solutions for holistically increasing properties’ energy performance, with the aligned aim of decarbonising social housing by 2050.
In spring 2026 we staged a round table looking at smart measures to tackle the continuing risk of fuel poverty, including housing providers, academics and supply chain partners. This conference will enable a broader range of presentations and discussions in a concise and impactful format. It also offers an excellent opportunity to network with peers from across housing, construction, and sustainability.
There is growing momentum across the UK to deliver net zero targets within social housing, alongside increasing regulatory pressure and funding initiatives aimed at accelerating retrofit programmes. While there is a strong and evolving body of guidance around whole-house retrofit, low-carbon technologies, and fabric-first approaches, key questions remain around how effectively this knowledge is being translated into large-scale delivery.
Housing associations and local authorities are under increasing pressure to upgrade existing housing stock, improve energy efficiency, and reduce carbon emissions, while also managing cost constraints, tenant disruption, and performance risks. From strategic asset planning to the selection of appropriate solutions, and practicalities of installation, monitoring, and maintenance, there are a host of retrofit challenges to address.
How can housing providers, designers, contractors, and technology partners collaborate more effectively to scale delivery? How can funding, policy, and regulation better support long-term, sustainable outcomes? And how can tenant engagement be placed at the heart of social housing upgrades to ensure solutions are both effective and equitable?
This conference will bring together a wide range of expert voices to share insights, case studies, and lessons learned, with the aim of supporting the sector in moving from ambition to action. Delegates will also be encouraged to actively contribute to discussions, helping to shape a more collaborative and solutions-driven approach to Warm Homes Plan-backed social housing upgrades, for the future benefit of tenants.