Investing in your homes
At Great Places, we’re committed to investing in our customers’ homes to ensure they are comfortable, safe and energy efficient.
For the financial year up to March 2025, we plan to invest significantly in home improvements, spending:
£5.25million on kitchens and bathrooms in 850 homes
£670k on replacing external doors
£1.25 million on miscellaneous external and roof improvements
£925k on new windows for 205 homes
£5.5 million on new boilers and heating systems
£2.2 million on painting and fencing projects
Our Assets Team has several key projects lined up to enhance many of our homes in the coming months, which we’ll look to share in upcoming editions of My Great Place.
A major priority is making our homes easier to heat and more energy efficient. Supported by £1.4 million from Wave 2.1 of the Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund, we’re enhancing energy efficiency in 396 homes in Greater Manchester and Sheffield, aiming to improve their Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating to C within the next 12 months.
Our Heat Networks are also a key focus. Our dedicated Heat Network Manager and Metering & Billing Coordinator are preparing for the upcoming Ofgem regulation. Essential upgrades to the Richmond Park Heat Network in Sheffield, involving 299 properties, are nearing completion. These upgrades will enhance energy efficiency and give residents better control over heating and hot water costs.
Additionally, we have secured funding for optimisation studies at Hutton Lodge and Elk View Court to improve communal heating performance and reduce costs. Further studies and funding applications are planned so we can improve networks for more customers.
With energy costs high, we have applied for additional Government support under the Energy Bill Discount Scheme and Qualifying Heat Supplier discount scheme to lower heating costs for customers on communal and district heating networks. To mitigate fluctuating energy costs, we have secured new, cheaper energy contracts, fixing gas prices for two years and electricity prices for three years.
To improve communal energy billing, we are also rolling out smart energy meters and checking meter readings to reduce estimated bills. Energy surveys and feasibility studies are also planned to enhance energy efficiency in communal spaces, reducing costs and carbon emissions.