Newham is set to retrofit 359 homes with energy-efficient upgrades thanks to a £1.5 million grant from the Warm Homes Social Housing Fund. The homes, many of which have known issues with damp and mould and fall below an EPC rating of C, were prioritised based on these factors, including two high-rise blocks and areas with high fuel poverty, according to the Cabinet Report WHSHF 2025 Final. The Newham Council Cabinet approved the acceptance of the funding at a meeting on Tuesday, 22 July 2025, earmarking the investment for homes predominantly in North Woolwich, East Ham, and Canning Town, as clarified in the Supplementary Agenda.
The retrofitting project is expected to be completed by September 2028.
Councillor Blossom Young, Cabinet Member for Council Housing Improvements, stated that the funding would be used to deliver warm, energy-efficient homes with lower bills and reduced carbon emissions
. The project aims to retrofit homes to a minimum EPC rating of C, addressing issues like damp and mould. The total modelled bill savings for residents is estimated to be £42,503, according to the Cabinet Report WHSHF 2025 Final.
The proposed energy-efficient upgrades, following a PAS2035 fabric-first hierarchy, include cavity wall insulation, flat roof insulation, double glazing, door replacements, solar PV, and wastewater heat recovery, as detailed in the Cabinet Report WHSHF 2025 Final.
The council will measure and verify the reduction in carbon emissions by lodging EPC and TrustMark certifications of completed homes in order to receive funding, as outlined in the Cabinet Report WHSHF 2025 Final.
The cabinet also agreed to consult with Councillor Dr John Whitworth, Cabinet Member for Air Quality and Climate Emergency, on the project.
