Since 2023, CHP has partnered with Sero to develop and implement their retrofit strategy. Our services have included a comprehensive analysis of their entire stock, enabling CHP to gain valuable insights into their homes and develop a robust retrofit strategy. And their first government grant-funded project under Wave 2.2, for a 100-home project (more about that here), which is now being delivered to the highest quality and standards with our retrofit co-ordination services.
Our most recent collaboration has been to support CHP with their funding application for the Warm Homes: Social Housing Fund Wave 3.
Having gained much confidence from successfully bidding and delivering Wave 2.2 of the fund, CHP decided to bid for a more ambitious project in Wave 3. Our role at Sero has been pivotal in helping CHP navigate the application process, culminating in the submission of a robust grant funding request. The goal was to retrofit just over 550 homes over a three-year period, making them more energy-efficient and reducing carbon emissions.
CHP was successful in their bid and was awarded 65% of its requested funding from the programme. While the award was smaller than initially anticipated, our team at Sero immediately began working closely with CHP to review the new allocation and adjust their strategy accordingly. The challenge was to ensure that, despite the reduction to anticipated funding, the maximum number of homes could still be retrofitted to the highest standards possible.
The result:
Through careful analysis and collaboration, we revised the list of homes to be retrofitted, ultimately agreeing on around 440 homes, an incredible 78% of the original target. This careful adjustment has enabled CHP to maximise the use of the reduced funding, ensuring that fewer homes miss out on the vital improvements.
Although this was a challenge to overcome, the outcome demonstrated the resilience and adaptability of both CHP and our team at Sero. The revised list of homes represented a strategic approach that maintained the integrity of the project’s core objectives despite the financial constraints.
Beyond the immediate challenge of adjusting to the reduced funding, we also worked with CHP to identify additional opportunities for cost-effective improvements. We helped them create a list of homes that required minimal intervention to achieve an EPC rating of C, specifically identifying those that could be retrofitted with low-cost solutions, such as loft insulation and low-energy lighting. These homes, which presented a lower risk for improvements, were tackled using CHP’s existing budgets outside the WH: SHF funding scope.
This comprehensive approach ensured that the project could continue despite the initial setback. It allowed CHP to maximise the impact of their secured funding, extending the benefits of retrofitting to as many homes as possible.
Emma Williams Sero’s Chief Commercial Officer said: “Our partnership with CHP in this journey underscored the importance of flexibility, strategic planning, and collaborative problem-solving, ensuring that the project could still make a meaningful impact on the homes and communities it aimed to serve.”
David George, Sustainability and Asset Data Manager, Homes, and Places added: “Sero’s strategic planning and adaptability were key in optimising our funding allocation for the Warm Homes: Social Housing Fund Wave 3. Despite receiving a reduction in grant funds, their expertise has enabled us to retrofit more homes, ensuring we still make a significant impact. This partnership has demonstrated how effective collaboration and the right strategy can overcome financial constraints and drive meaningful results.”
To find out more about Sero’s Retrofit Services click here.