Magna Housing is set to receive £1.4m in Government funding to increase the energy efficiency of social homes in Dorset and Somerset.

The housing association was part of a successful bid by the South West Net Zero Hub, hosted by the West of England Combined Authority, on behalf of two consortia of social landlords and councils to the Government’s Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund Wave 2 (SHDF) for £28.4m and £9.3m towards more than £82m worth of home upgrades.

Magna’s share of the funding will benefit older people and those on low incomes living in 87 homes across Dorset and Somerset over the next two years. The money will fund measures such as external wall insulation, which will help keep homes warmer in winter and cooler in summer, lower customers’ energy bills and reduce carbon emissions.

The funds will improve the fabric of homes to bring them up to an energy performance rating of ‘C’, the minimum that the Climate Change Committee is proposing all UK homes should reach to help meet the UK’s net zero carbon target by 2050.

Twenty-one per cent of total carbon emissions in the UK come from our homes, according to the Energy Saving Trust, and these upgrades will help households in the South West contribute to meeting the UK’s net zero ambitions.

Magna will engage closely with its customers and surrounding communities to make sure unnecessary disruption is kept to a minimum and they are kept informed throughout the process.

Paul Read, Magna’s Director of Sustainability and Investment, said:

“We are delighted to receive this funding, which gives further momentum to our investment into the things that really matter to our customers; reducing energy costs and improving the fabric of their homes.”

Jon Rattenbury, Programme Manager for the South West Net Zero Hub said:

“This is fantastic news for households in the South West and it takes us a step closer to achieving the region’s net zero targets. We look forward to working with our partners to deliver sustainable home upgrades that will make homes warmer and address fuel poverty.”

Lord Callanan, Minister for Energy Efficiency and Green Finance, said:

“This investment will help thousands of households to heat their homes for less, keep them warm for longer and could save hundreds on their annual energy bill.

“The green energy sector is growing, and this funding will support green jobs and provide the training needed to deliver these vital upgrades to homes.”