A leading housing provider in Scotland has entered into a significant partnership with green retrofitting experts to bring essential energy-saving measures to its tenants. Hanover Scotland, a prominent housing association, has teamed up with the charity Changeworks to help alleviate financial burdens and enhance energy efficiency for residents. Through this collaboration, tenants will receive energy advice from Changeworks specialists along with guidance on managing their energy bills. Already, tenants participating in the program have reported substantial bill savings exceeding £59,000, accompanied by carbon savings of over 80 tons.
Esther Wilson, Hanover Scotland’s Director of Customer Services, highlighted the importance of this partnership, especially considering the current economic challenges and cost-of-living pressures faced by tenants. She emphasised that by reducing energy costs, tenants can redirect their funds towards other essential needs. Wilson expressed that this initiative aligns with the organisation’s commitment to addressing the diverse support requirements of tenants, ensuring good value for money without compromising on innovation and sustainability standards.
An example of the positive impact of this partnership is the case of 93-year-old Madelaine, a resident living alone. After receiving energy bills totalling over £4000 and facing repayment demands, Madelaine consulted with Changeworks advisors and received the necessary support to rectify her bills. As a result, she ended up with a credit balance of £706. Hanover Scotland specialises in providing housing solutions for predominantly older individuals, managing over 4500 homes across the country. On the other hand, Changeworks, an environmental charity with more than 35 years of experience, focuses on addressing fuel poverty and enhancing energy efficiency through initiatives like insulation and low-carbon energy solutions such as heat pumps and solar panels.
Significant progress was made last year by Changeworks, supporting approximately 13,000 households throughout Scotland in implementing energy-saving and home improvement measures. The partnership between Hanover Scotland and Changeworks is seen as a groundbreaking approach to promoting sustainability and financial relief for tenants, demonstrating a proactive step towards enhancing living standards within the housing sector.