City of Lincoln Council launches Warm Homes Project to tackle fuel poverty and cut carbon emissions

The project will see vital insulation and low-carbon heating measures installed in 200 council-owned properties currently rated EPC band D or lower, bringing healthier, warmer, and more affordable homes to hundreds of residents.

The total cost of the project is £3.2 million, which includes improvements to 60 properties fully funded by the council and 140 properties co-funded through the Government’s Warm Homes Social Housing Fund (WHSHF) Wave 3 grant, which awarded the council £1.3 million.

Although the council originally applied for grant funding to improve all 200 properties, the oversubscription of the programme meant that funding was approved for only 140. The council will therefore self-fund the remaining 60 properties, ensuring the full programme can still be delivered as planned.

As part of its long-term plan, the council aims to ensure all its homes meet EPC band C or above by 2030, in line with national targets.

This project will help the council take a significant step towards that goal and is set to reduce the number of below-standard council homes by 44%.

The WHSHF co-funded improvements will be delivered in batches of 35 homes per quarter, with each home receiving one or more improvements. These include a range of energy-saving upgrades such as:

• 134 solar PV installations with battery storage
• 60 ventilation improvements
• 57 window replacements
• 48 loft insulation top-ups
• 12 air source heat pumps
• 4 external wall insulations
• 2 cavity wall insulations

Before works begin, initial assessments will be carried out to confirm whether each property meets the criteria required for inclusion in the WHSHF Wave 3 programme. The works are scheduled to begin once the properties have been approved by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ).

Cllr Donald Nannestad, Portfolio Holder for Quality Housing at City of Lincoln Council, said:

“Thanks to Government funding for the Warm Homes Social Housing Fund Wave 3, we’re able to take the necessary steps towards achieving our goal of having all our housing achieving an EPC rating of C or above by 2030.

“This project is about making a real difference to people’s lives. By reducing fuel bills, cutting carbon emissions, and making homes healthier and more comfortable, we’re building a fairer and greener future for Lincoln’s residents.”

The Warm Homes Project aligns with the council’s Vision 2030 strategy and its Housing Revenue Account 30-Year Business Plan, delivering on key objectives around health, housing, and climate action, helping to futureproof homes and deliver long-term value for tenants and the environment.