New funding means warmer homes for RBH tenants

Rochdale Boroughwide Housing (RBH) has been successful in securing a share of £84 million funding from the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA). The £1.4 million funding will help improve insulation to the 744 homes in the 7 high rise blocks at College Bank in central Rochdale. The spending will both reduce fuel bills for tenants and residents of the blocks and cut carbon emissions.

The Social Housing Energy Saving Programme (SHESP), will provide cavity wall insulation for the 744 multi-storey homes. These properties are difficult to insulate because of the size, design and construction of the blocks.

Ian Agnew, Chairman of the RBH Board said: “Only three social housing providers in the North West region managed to secure funding from this pot of money and so this is great news for the tenants of College Bank. The cavity wall insulation will not only make 744 homes warmer but reduce energy bills for the people who live there and tackle climate change by reducing carbon emissions. This successful bid is one part of our wider strategy for investment to further improve the energy efficiency of the homes we manage.”
Doreen Brophy-Lee Cabinet member for Housing at Rochdale Borough Council adds: “This is fantastic news for Rochdale and a real achievement for RBH. The additional funding will help ensure warmer homes and lower fuel bills for tenants in all of the Council’s high rise homes as well as supporting jobs in the borough.”

The funding is payable over two years and it is anticipated that works will start at the end of this summer.