DESNZ visit SHDF Wave 1 Project

Spearheaded by the London Borough of Waltham Forest, Southfield Court was an ambitious and collaborative project that transformed a four-storey, 40-flat hostel into sustainable housing for vulnerable residents.

The 40 flats hold a population of 75% female residents aged 20-70 years old who have experienced eviction, homelessness and other life eventualities many with small children.

The project was supported by funding from the Carbon Offset Fund, which facilitated mechanical updates, supplemented by the Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund (SHDF Wave 1) and Waltham Forest Council's capital expenditure. This culminated in investment nearing £4 million.

With an average EPC rating of D, the council wanted to achieve a minimum rating of B, alongside enhancing monitoring capabilities, upgrading insulation, lighting, ventilation, and sealing the building envelope.

Effie Cohen, Doug Stephenson and James Olujohungbe from The Department of Energy Security and Net Zero joined us onsite to talk to our team and the residents about the impact the retrofit has made.

Not only has this deep retrofit visibly changed the building for the better, all the measures installed are combining to huge success, reducing carbon, cutting costs and increasing resident comfort.