At Pineapple we’ve looked beyond the headlines to consider the future impacts on housing quality and sustainability.
Better funding…
More money for affordable homes: A £500 million boost to the Affordable Homes Programme is a welcome injection, which signalled a strong commitment to building much-needed homes and will help free up funding capacity.
Rent certainty: A proposed CPI + 1% rent settlement for five years (potentially even 10!) provides some much-needed stability for housing providers. This means the sector can plan for the future with more confidence.
…partnered with a focus on quality and sustainability
Here's where things get really interesting, particularly for Pineapple Homes. 🍍
Decent Homes Standard consultation: A new Decent Homes Standard is on the horizon, potentially with stricter requirements around damp, mould, safety, and security. This could mean more investment is needed to bring homes up to scratch. While the potential change to the Decent Homes Standard will aim to improve housing quality, it also adds significant uncertainty for providers already grappling with rising asset costs and existing regulatory demands. Balancing these pressures will be critical for the sector moving forward.
Minimum energy efficiency standards: Achieving EPC C by 2030 has long been a widely assumed target for social housing, and many providers have been working toward this goal. However, while the government has reiterated its intention to mandate this, formal confirmation for social landlords is still to come, adding to the uncertainty the sector is grappling with. Despite this ambiguity, the benefits of retrofitting homes to EPC C are well-documented: reduced repair requests, fewer issues like damp and mould, and improved living conditions for tenants. These outcomes underscore why investment in energy efficiency remains critical—whether through confirmed mandates or voluntary leadership.
This aligns perfectly with our vision at Pineapple, where we see a future where all homes are truly sustainable, affordable, and resilient to climate change. Homes should be more than just bricks and mortar; they should be places that nurture well-being and contribute to a healthier planet.
Unlocking the Potential of Retrofits
The reiterated focus on quality and sustainability, alongside the proposed long-term rent settlement, could evolve how the sector decarbonises. Providing greater financial certainty and mandating new standards will empower social housing providers to invest in long-term solutions like retrofits. This is where Pineapple Homes can make a difference. Our unique partnership model brings together experts from across the value chain to deliver holistic retrofit solutions that enhance energy efficiency, improve living standards, and reduce carbon emissions, enabling long-term change with less upfront cost.
The Warm Homes Conundrum
Of course, every budget announcement has its unanswered questions. The concept of "Warm Rents"—linking rent to energy efficiency—is gaining traction in the sector but was notably absent from the Chancellor's speech. This could involve higher rents for properties with better energy efficiency ratings, incentivising landlords to invest in improvements. While absent from the Budget, it’s a potential lever for driving retrofit investment, and we’ll be watching developments closely.
Collaboration is Key
As we look ahead, the upcoming consultations on the Decent Homes Standard and energy efficiency represent a crucial opportunity for collaboration. We encourage all stakeholders to actively participate in shaping the future of social housing and ensuring it plays a vital role in creating a more sustainable society.
At Pineapple, we're cautiously optimistic about the future. This budget offers some promising signs, and we're excited to work with our partners to explore the opportunities it presents. Together, we can build a future where social housing is truly sustainable, healthy, and affordable for everyone.
To learn more about how Pineapple Partnerships can help your organisation achieve its sustainability goals, please visit our website or contact us to schedule a consultation.
